Anger over delays in the treatment of chronic pain

HUNDREDS of Scots suffering chronic pain are facing delays in their treatment.

Latest figures show that only 71.5 per cent of patients in need of therapy were seen within the Scottish Government’s target time of 18 weeks.

The figures, for the first quarter of this year, indicate that performance has deteriorated from the previous quarter, when 72.3 per cent were seen within the 18-week target.

Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesman Alex Cole-Hamilton described NHS performance on chronic pain waiting times as ‘consistently disappointing’.

The latest figures mean that 732 people seen in the last quarter had to wait more than 18 weeks for treatment.

Chronic pain clinics see people suffering the long-term effects of illnesses and injuries and involve a team of doctors and

‘Performance is getting worse’

nurses who assess and treat patients in a bid to ease their condition.

Mr Cole-Hamilton said: ‘These statistics are consistently disappointing.

‘Not only are hundreds of patients waiting weeks for treatment but performance is getting worse. This is more bad news for a beleaguered Health Secretary who seems to have little idea how to get performance back on track.

‘Patients are desperate to know when precisely the Scottish Government expects this waiting time target to be met.’

Public Health Minister Aileen Campbell said: ‘Almost three-quarters of patients referred to a pain clinic were seen within 18 weeks.

‘Performance at pain clinics remains similar to the previous quarter and we have made £50million available to all boards this year to reduce long waits, including for chronic pain.

‘We are working with relevant boards to support improvements and expect boards to address exceptionally long waits.’