The delays to normal NHS services caused by Covid-19 restrictions risk causing more harm to people in Scotland than the virus itself if the Scottish Government don’t act now to clear treatment backlogs.
That’s the view of South Scotland MSP Brian Whittle, who has urged the Health Secretary to restore more services as quickly as possible.
When the NHS paused many of its services and non-urgent treatments at the start of lockdown in March, many patients found themselves facing long delays and additional months of pain and discomfort. While services have now begun to restart, the combination of lengthening waiting lists and the additional time required for anti-Covid hygiene measures and extra cleaning mean that fewer patients can be seen each day.
Brian Whittle MSP said:
“There’s no question that it was necessary in the early days of lockdown to put the full might of the NHS into treating patients with Covid-19. But as time goes on, the risk of lasting harm to patients who can’t access non-Covid services rises.
The postponement of normal screening appointments for cancer and other conditions means some patients get their diagnosis later and start treatment later. Even when a vaccine arrives and we’re able to go back to something closer to normal, the legacy of Covid means that if we don’t act now, the damage done by the virus may end up being less than the harm caused by the delays to other NHS services.”
