Jackie Baillie has said patients are being let down after it emerged that waits for scans which can diagnose osteoporosis reached more than a year across Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

In data released to the Dumbarton MSP under Freedom of Information legislation, the health board which covers Ms Baillie’s constituency shows that the average wait for a Dexa scan was 56 weeks in December of last year. This compared with just eight weeks back in January 2018.

Dexa scans are able to identify slight changes in bone density and are the only scans available to diagnose osteoporosis before a bone is broken.

The health board also revealed that there are currently 39 vacancies for radiographers across the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area.

Jackie Baillie, who is also Scottish Labour’s Health Spokesperson, has been contacted by constituents concerned at the length of time they have had to wait for a Dexa scan to be undertaken and for the result to be reported.

It has also been revealed to Ms Baillie, during a constituent enquiry regarding Dexa scanning that two scanners (one at Stobhill and one at the RAH) have been undergoing emergency replacement, further reducing capacity.

She has called on NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to use neighbouring health boards to clear the backlog, reducing waits where possible and for assistance from the Scottish Government to make this happen.

NHS Lanarkshire were also asked to provide statistics but said they were unable to fulfil the request meanwhile NHS Forth Valley said waits had not exceeded 12 weeks in the last five years and most people were scanned by around six weeks.

She said: “The figures relating to patients in Greater Glasgow and Clyde are incredibly worrying especially when they concern a condition where early intervention is important.

“Without timely scanning of this kind, people at risk of osteoporosis can have far poorer outcomes and may also end up putting pressure on the health service elsewhere, such as A&E where there are already lengthy waits. This can be avoided with quicker scanning turnaround times.

“There appears to be a real postcode lottery here with waits in nearby health boards a fraction of what they are in Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

“With long waits and two scanners recently out of action, people suspected as having osteoporosis locally have been badly let down and this needs to be fixed urgently.

“Along with his already busy inbox, incoming Health Secretary Michael Matheson, needs to address this issue quickly, liaising with those health boards worst affected and finding a solution quickly.”