Ross seeks improved reporting of chronic pain waiting times
Douglas Ross MP has written to Scottish Health Minister, Aileen Campbell, following recent information obtained by campaigners for improved chronic pain treatments.
Earlier this year while still an MSP Douglas questioned the Minister about recording treatment times for those with chronic pain who require return treatments. The Minister failed to respond to this point despite being challenged twice by Mr Ross. It has since been revealed that one week before the question was raised in the Scottish Parliament, officials from the Scottish Government were offered an opportunity to record data on return patients, but refused this.
Commenting Douglas said: “I raised this issue with the Health Minister as it had been highlighted to me by chronic pain sufferers in Moray but her answers missed the point entirely. It is now important for this SNP Minister to explain why, when asked about reporting excessive delays many patients face from their initial treatment to returning for further treatment, she failed to give any assurance that return patients would be recorded in the future. It has now been revealed that her officials had already been offered this information but declined it.
He added: “I understand through Freedom of Information requests that officials from the Scottish Government were advised one week before my question in March of an opportunity to record return patient data, but refused. The official said: “I don’t think we would want to start publishing this information.”
“I am extremely worried that the Minister was aware of this when she answered my question. If that is the case she not only has to apologise for the way she has tried to dupe Parliament, but apologise to constituents in Moray and across Scotland for having the opportunity to record this important information but failing to do so.
“If these figures are not collated it is impossible to get a true picture of treatment times for all chronic pain sufferers. That is why I am once again inviting the Minister to record and report these waiting times.”