Two dozen ops a day cancelled during just one month by Scottish NHS
Jackie Baillie MSP and Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP.
By Democrat reporter
Responding to the news that 724 operations were cancelled during November due to capacity or non-clinical reasons, the highest figure for a year, Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP commented:
“Twenty-four people per day are having their operations cancelled through no fault of their own, causing disruption and further pain. It’s frustrating for staff too but there simply aren’t enough of them to go around.
“The SNP Government have relied on the goodwill of NHS staff for far too long. There is no part of the health service which isn’t under pressure. It is time they got the resources and support they need.
“The Health Secretary has only just published the integrated workforce plan, a year late. It must now make a difference. People can’t afford for it to be added to the pile of other failed plans and strategies.”
Jackie Baillie, the Labour MSP for Dumbarton and Lomond, said: “The number of cancelled operations during November, of which 118 where in Greater Glasgow and Clyde alone, reinforces what I and NHS trade unions have been saying for the last few years.
“Our NHS is at breaking point, staff are over worked, under pressure and there are simply not enough of them to go around.
“The blame lies firmly with the SNP Government. They have failed to adequately fund our NHS and ensure there is an effective workforce plan to recruit staff.
“Ultimately it’s staff and patients who are paying the price for the SNP’s failure, a price which they have been paying for far too long. It’s time the SNP acted, listened to what staff and patients have been telling them and make the right investment in health and social care services.”
The SNP’s Health Board spokesperson, Jonathan McColl, refuses to comment on this to The Democrat, as do the Conservatives.