Plan needed for backlog of medical operations

Highlands and Islands MSP Donald Cameron, pictured, has said that the Scottish Government must focus on supporting NHS Highland, and the other Health Boards in Scotland, to address the backlog in operations that has accrued due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Mr Cameron said: ‘The fall in the number of operations is startling. In the last two months that we have figures for – April and May – the total number of operations that took place in the NHS Highland region was 382.

‘During the equivalent period last year the number was 2,731.

‘Inevitably that must mean that a huge backlog has built up while NHS staff have focused on the fight against the coronavirus.

‘It’s absolutely essential that the Scottish Government now prioritises organising the resources to address this backlog before it develops into a health emergency.

‘We cannot afford any distractions, let alone speculation about the constitution which, unfortunately, seems to be obsessing some SNP politicians at the moment.’