Someone in Scotland has waited more than eight years for NHS treatment, according to shocking new figures that have prompted fears the health service "won't survive" another SNP term. Statistics released under freedom of information legislation show the longest recorded wait for plastic surgery treatment reached 2,952 days by June 30 this year.
The data reveals extraordinary delays across multiple specialties, with one patient waiting 2,495 days for ear, nose and throat treatment - almost seven years. Another person has waited more than six years for general surgery, while a child has been waiting over five-and-a-half years for paediatric treatment.
Widespread waiting crisis
While the median wait for inpatient treatment stood at 63 days in the three months to June, the figures expose a system under severe strain. As of June 30, 1,440 people had been waiting three years or more for treatment, highlighting the scale of the crisis beyond individual extreme cases.
The statistics represent the longest waits for single inpatient or day case procedures, which can be moved or changed for various reasons. Updated figures are due to be released on Tuesday.
Political backlash grows
Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labour's deputy leader, described the waiting times as "scandalous" and warned of existential threats to the NHS. "People have been stuck in limbo for years on end waiting for treatment they desperately need, including children who have seen years of their childhood pass waiting for surgery," she said.
"The founding principles of our NHS - of a health service free and available at the point of need - have already been badly undermined by the SNP. I fear our NHS would not survive a third decade of SNP failure."
Baillie promised that a Scottish Labour government would "use every lever we have to tackle this waiting list emergency so every Scot can get the swift care they deserve." The Scottish Government has been contacted for comment.
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
