MSP’s call on NHS targets

An apology must be issued to patients who are not treated within the Scottish Government’s guaranteed waiting time target, according to an MSP.

The legally binding target was introduced in 2012 with the aim of ensuring patients wait no more than 12 weeks for hospital inpatient or day case treatment.

The Scottish Liberal Democrats say it has been broken around 190,000 times. Lib Dem MSP Alex ColeHamilton also called for patients to be given a “realistic estimate” of their waiting time from the outset”.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “Let me take this opportunity to again offer my unreserved apology to everyone who is currently experiencing or has experienced a delay anywhere in the health system.”

She added: “People quite rightly expect us to do something to change that and my determination to do just that is exactly why I published the Waiting Times Improvement Plan in October last year to substantially and sustainably improve waiting times... backed by significant additional financial investment.”

Ms Freeman said health boards must ensure patients who have to wait longer than 12 weeks are given a realistic timeline.