NHS has to treat patients on waiting lists for stress of being on waiting lists

PATIENTS are now waiting so long for NHS appointments that the health service is being forced to treat them for the side effects of lengthy delays.

With record numbers of Scots enduring hold-ups of more than two years for procedures, the ‘waiting well’ scheme sees painkillers and mental health advice being offered to patients to cope with treatment being delayed for so long.

However, critics say the measure highlights the crisis that is currently engulfing the NHS and that it would be better to treat patients quickly.

Figures released last week show that 7,650 patients have been on NHS waiting lists for more than two years.

Scottish Conservative health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane said: ‘This is something in my role as a GP I have suggested to health boards before, to support patients who are suffering.

‘It is a real shame that we have reached this stage. Waiting times whether at A&E or for vital operations have spiralled out of control on Humza Yousaf’s watch. He has

‘A real shame that we have reached this stage’

completely failed to get a grip on the crisis facing our NHS and this treatment being carried out is confirmation that longer waiting times harm patients.’

Waiting times for patients who need hip or knee replacements have soared from just over 100 days to an average of 321 days since 2017-18.

Overall waiting times for a host of procedures which can transform patients’ quality of life – including orthopaedic and cataract surgery, tonsillectomies and kidney stone treatments – also rose by 140 per cent.

Since Mr Yousaf was appointed Health Secretary in May last year, the number of people waiting more than two years for inpatient treatment has risen by almost 350 per cent.

A report from NHS Borders has now set out how it will focus on ‘supporting patients to wait well; designing holistic support that includes pain management and access to mental health care’.

It says a range of staff will help patients, including allied health professionals, such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists and dieticians.

The paper says: ‘This will ensure the best possible outcomes for patients at the point of surgery.

‘NHS Borders will establish a programme for the proactive contact of long-waiting patients at 26-week intervals to ensure that they are receiving the care and support required.’

NHS Grampian’s latest delivery plan also pledges to ‘promote and support approaches to selfmanagement to help people to live well, particularly those who are waiting for access to health and social care’.

NHS Borders said: ‘The health and social care system remains under significant pressure. We continue to work hard to see people who are waiting for an appointment, treatment or operation.

‘It is important to us that our patients are able to live well whilst they wait. We recognise that waiting can be unsettling and therefore it is vital that our patients are aware of the support that is available to help them stay well.’

A spokesman for the Scottish Government said: ‘Health boards across Scotland continue to experience severe pressure due to the ongoing impacts of the pandemic, as is the case across the UK, and this will be a very challenging winter.

‘Waiting for medical treatment can often be a worrying time for patients. We are making good progress and figures show that patients are waiting less time in more than half of outpatient specialities.’