Rachael Hamilton is calling on the Scottish Government to provide more resources to NHS Borders as Covid restrictions ease, in a bit to tackle a backlog in treatments and operations.
It comes after new statistics showed that over half of the Borders patients with musculoskeletal conditions were not seen within the Scottish Government’s 4 week waiting time target.
355 patients who were seen by the end of December (latest figures) had been waiting longer than 4 weeks. Musculoskeletal conditions affect joints, bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, tendon sheaths, bursa and muscles.
The Scottish Government has stated that at least 90% of patients should wait no longer than four weeks to be seen by these services from receipt of referral.
With the impact of Covid, Mrs Hamilton believes that NHS Borders must be given more resources in order to treat these patients within the target time and as NHS services begin to restart.
Rachael Hamilton MSP said:
“Our hardworking NHS staff have done a fantastic job and have worked flat out, treating patients over the past year in exceptional circumstances.
“The fact over half of musculoskeletal patients aren’t seen within 4 weeks is concerning and the SNP Government must provide more resources to NHS Borders to address this.
“During the pandemic, restrictions have meant that people have been unable to access operations and treatments so easily as before.
“This means when restrictions lift, NHS Borders must be properly resourced to deal with a backlog in cancelled operations and treatments following the lockdown”.