Halcro Johnston: NHS Grampian failing over waiting time targets
Jamie Halcro Johnston, Scottish Conservative MSP for the Highlands and Islands, has called for urgent action after new figures revealed that NHS Grampian is failing to meet its waiting time targets.
He highlighted the fact that over 50% of inpatient/day cases fail to meet the 12 week treatment time guarantee, substantially worse than the national average where the equivalent figure is less than 35%.
Mr Halcro Johnston said: “Set against the SNP’s own supposedly legally-binding targets, this is a terrible indictment of their utter failure to get on top of waiting times.
“After twelve years of Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP, more than 50% of people in the NHS Grampian area are failing to be seen on time.
“Even more concerning is that things seem to be getting worse, rather than better. And these most recent figures are actually the worst since the treatment time guarantee was issued.
“We need to remember that these figures are not just a paper exercise, they profoundly affect the lives of patients, their families and their carers here in Moray.
“As a result of this failing performance, many people are forced to wait far longer for treatment – often in discomfort or pain - than they would if they lived in other parts of Scotland.
“It is well know that the SNP has left NHS Grampian as the worst funded health authority in Scotland and these figures just highlight the real impact this unfair deal has on Moray.
“Communities in Moray deserve better from those who represent them. It’s time local SNP politicians woke up and started putting some pressure on their own government in Edinburgh”.
PHOTOGRAPH: Jamie Halcro Johnston at Dr Gray’s Hospital, Elgin
