Achi news desk-
The initial funding will be used to reduce backlogs for treatment that built up during the Covid pandemic, including for orthopedic treatment and diagnostic tests for those suspected of having cancer, as well as targeting patients who have suffer the longest waiting times.
It comes after official figures show that at the end of 2023 there were 824,725 people in Scotland waiting for an outpatient appointment, tests or treatment.
Statistics from Public Health Scotland also revealed that, as at 31 December, 17,761 Scots had been waiting 18 months or more for inpatient or outpatient treatment – including 7,179 patients who had been waiting for at least two years while 1,446 patients have been waiting. on the list for three years or more.
The new investment comes as the Scottish Government estimates that its measures to tackle waiting times will reduce patient lists by 100,000 over the next three years.
Mr Yousaf announced the initial tranche of £30 million as he visited the National Treatment Center in Fife, which was opened exactly one year ago.
The First Minister said: “As I stated last October, we are committed to speeding up treatment in our NHS and reducing inpatient waiting lists and day cases by an estimated 100,000 patients over the next three years, supported by a proposed investment of an additional £ . 100 million annually.
“This initial investment of £30 million will target reductions to the national backlogs that have built up through the pandemic, including orthopedic treatment, diagnostics for cancer referrals and patients with the longest waiting times.
“This is all part of our program to improve productivity and tackle waiting lists, supported by the Center for Sustainable Delivery.”
Mr Yousaf added: “Together, our actions will enable NHS Scotland to maximize capacity, build greater resilience and achieve year-on-year reductions in the number of patients waiting too long for treatment.”
The Conservative shadow health secretary in Scotland, Dr Sandesh Gulhane MSP, said: “Humza Yousaf has no vision for the Scottish NHS and has been reduced to highlighting promises she made months ago.
“Since then waiting times have continued to spiral for suffering patients and the pause button has been hit on the construction of vital new healthcare facilities across the country.
“The First Minister still cannot accept the overwhelming failures of his flimsy NHS Recovery Plan, drawn up over two and a half years ago.
“Frontline services remain in crisis and my dedicated colleagues and patients desperate for treatment are paying the price for his inaction.
“Humza Yousaf needs to do better than recycling promises – only for them to fail – and reduce waiting times as a matter of urgency. If he wants somewhere to start, he should adopt the bold policies in our health paper that would provide a modern, efficient and local health service.”
