Jackie Baillie has told how SNP incompetence has led to thousands of patients in Greater Glasgow and Clyde dying while on NHS waiting lists.

Almost 13,000 patients within the health board area have died since the start of 2018 while on a waiting list for treatment. The figure increased by 61 percent from 2,033 in 2019 to 3,276 in 2022.

Across Scotland, 75,706 people have died on waiting lists over the last four years while awaiting treatment.

Jackie Baillie, Dumbarton constituency MSP, said: “These shocking figures represent thousands of families with a loved one who died waiting for treatment that could have prolonged or, in some cases saved, their lives.

“The trend, evidenced by these statistics, show the number dying on waiting lists go up year on year with no signs of slowing.

“But it’s important to remember, these aren’t just numbers. These are people waiting in pain, many dying far too early leaving behind heartbroken families.

“While he was Health Secretary, Humza Yousaf failed to get a grip of NHS waiting lists and nationwide they grew by over 175,000 on his watch.

“Nearly two years ago he published a recovery plan for the NHS but rather than improving our health service, things have got even worse.

“According to FOI responses and through cases which I have heard about in the Dumbarton and Helensburgh communities, thousands of people are forced to leave the NHS and pay for their treatment – in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis.

“Labour proudly built the NHS on the principle of healthcare free at the point of need which is now evidently no longer the case for thousands of people in Scotland.

“The First Minister’s incompetence has created a two-tier NHS, where people are forced to either go into debt in order to stop the pain and get the treatment they need, or to languish on an NHS waiting list, and in many cases with tragic consequences.”