Local MSP Brian Whittle is urging SNP Health Secretary Humza Yousaf to ensure the number of cancelled operations in NHS Ayrshire & Arran does not spiral out of control.
The South Scotland MSP’s call comes after the number of operations that were carried out in Ayrshire & Arran plummeted by almost a fifth between August and September this year.
Brian believes that, with the peak winter period on the horizon, patients deserve guarantees from Humza Yousaf that they won’t fall victim to last minute cancellations and long delays for procedures and treatment.
He also criticised Humza Yousaf’s flimsy NHS Recovery Plan and said his belated winter plan for the NHS have failed to boost key services in Ayrshire & Arran and patients are suffering because of it.
Brian Whittle MSP said: “This dramatic drop in planned operations in NHS Ayrshire & Arran is deeply concerning.
“If I was Humza Yousaf, I’d be thinking about taking drastic action if the number of operations carried out in a health board fell by almost 20% in the space of a month. This cannot be the start of a trend. With so many patients already having had intolerable waits for operations, more delays are completely unacceptable.
“The lack of leadership from Humza Yousaf and the SNP has left NHS services struggling to cope and patients dealing with having their operations cancelled with little or no notice - sometimes as late as the day they are scheduled.
“If he doesn’t get a grip now, this situation will only get worse during the peak winter period.
“The Health Secretary needs to set out a plan to avoid countless more cancelled operations in NHS Ayrshire & Arran during the peak of winter and prevent serious consequences for patients.”
