More than a third of local patients waited too long for key treatments such as physiotherapy over the last year, according to new official stats highlighted by local MSP Jackie Baillie.

The expected standard for musculoskeletal waiting times is that 90 per cent of patients referred for a clinical out-patient appointment should have their first appointment within four weeks.  

These include treatments such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, chiropody, podiatry and orthotics, which is the branch of medicine that deals with artificial devices such as braces.

Jackie Baillie has revealed that almost 10,000 patients in NHS Highland and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have waited longer than four weeks to be seen in the first three months of 2017-; that’s 35 per cent of all patients seen.

Jackie said:

“Almost 10,000 patients in NHS Highland and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have waited too long this year for key treatments like physiotherapy. That’s more than a third of all patients. It is a scandalous record. 

“Waiting longer for vital treatment like physiotherapy can set back recovery for patients or worsen their condition, ultimately putting more pressure on the health service.

“With almost one in two patients missing the target Nicola Sturgeon can no longer cover for her Health Secretary’s failures. 

“A decade of SNP mismanagement of our NHS has left staff overworked, undervalued and under resourced, while the government refuses to lift the pay cap for NHS staff, and our local hospital services are threatened with closure. 

“Health Secretary Shona Robison is failing patients and staff.

“It’s time for Nicola Sturgeon to reshuffle her failing government and get on with supporting our health service