Numbers waiting for key tests in Ayrshire & Arran rise by more than 3000 in a year.

BW Crosshouse

Newly released figures from Public Health Scotland have shown a dramatic jump in the waiting times for eight key diagnostic tests in NHS Ayrshire & Arran over the last year.

These tests, which include endoscopies, colonoscopies, MRI scans and CT scans play an important role in the diagnosing of countless serious medical conditions.

According to the newest figures, this September 10,440 patients were waiting for these tests, up from 9351 in June and 7,170 last September.

Commenting on the figures, Brian Whittle MSP said:

“This is a worrying set of figures and I know that for the thousands of patients waiting for these tests, the growing wait will be a source of further anxiety.

COVID-19 has made this a year like no other for the health service, but the SNP’s moves to restore more NHS services throughout the year after the March lockdown don’t seem to have halted the rise in these figures.

The backlogs that have built up during the pandemic will not subside without more resources and a long-term plan. If we don’t prepare now to tackle the aftermath of COVID, we’ll face even greater health challenges.”

 

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