Significant activity is underway to clear the longest NHS waits
following the allocation of £30 million of targeted funding.
The funding has been allocated to specialty areas where it can
have the greatest impact against the longest waits – this
includes cancer, ophthalmology, orthopaedics, dermatology and
diagnostics.
It is estimated the £30 million, initially announced in April,
will help boards across the country deliver around; 12,000
additional procedures, 40,000 extra diagnostic procedures and
12,000 new outpatient appointments.
Activity levels will increase over the coming weeks and the
Scottish Government will work closely with Boards to support
delivery.
Speaking on a visit to Ninewells Hospital's ophthalmology ward in
Dundee, Health Secretary said:
“This initial investment of £30 million will target reductions to
national backlogs that built up through the pandemic. This is all
part of our programme to tackle waiting times, including waiting
lists for orthopaedic treatment and diagnostics for cancer.
“Together, our actions will help Scotland's NHS maximise
capacity, build greater resilience and deliver year-on-year
reductions in the number of patients who have waited too long for
treatment. The number people waiting over two years for a new
outpatient appointment is down by more than half in the last two
years, and we want to build on that progress.
“As part of the £30 million, we have invested close to £2 million
in ophthalmology helping to increase activity in the short term
as we aim to deliver one cataract procedure every 30 minutes on
standard lists. This will allow a more resilient and
sustainable service for the future.”
Background
In October 2023, the First Minister
announced annual funding of £100 million to help reduce
inpatient and day-case waiting lists by an estimated 100,000
patients over three years. In April 2024, the Scottish Government
announced £30 million, allocated for Q1 of this financial year,
as the first instalment of this annual funding.
