MSP Rhoda Grant has said that “Statistics reveal that the statutory Treatment Time Guarantee, which states that no inpatient or day case patient should wait more than 12 weeks, has been broken 15,875 times in NHS Highland since it was introduced in the last quarter of 2021”.
She goes on to say that the “NHS Recovery Plan has done nothing to turn the tide, with 46,690 patients in the Highlands waiting over 12 weeks since it was published”. She also said that “Every one of these breaches is someone waiting anxiously for a medical procedure, often in pain. Many have put their lives on hold, stopped work or retired because of their condition.”
Rhoda adds that “Incredible staff across NHS Highland are going above and beyond to keep services going”, and this is indeed very true. The extraordinary dedication of our local healthcare workers is simply amazing, and it is clear that urgent action is essential to ensure that the much-needed investment is provided to support them, and to ensure that these shocking waiting figures are addressed.
CHAT will continue to campaign tirelessly to seek better for the far north.
Caithness Health Action Team 