The NHS in Scotland has exceeded its ambitious target of 64,000 surgeries and procedures by the end of March 2025, according to new figures.
Between April 2024 and January 2025, more than 75,500 surgeries and procedures were performed, surpassing the pledge by approximately 11,500.
Funded through a £30 million investment, this targeted activity has led to substantial reductions in inpatient and daycase waiting lists across various health board areas and specialities. Notable decreases between April 2024 and September 2024 include:
- 44% decrease in Imaging waits at NHS Fife
- 22% decrease in Urology waits at NHS Forth Valley
- 19% decrease in Ear, Nose and Throat waits at NHS Highland
- Almost 15% decrease in Ophthalmology waits at NHS Lanarkshire
- Almost 10% decrease in General Surgery waits at NHS Lothian
The targeted funding has also contributed to a 7.5% reduction in the total national waiting list size for imaging and a 7.3% reduction for scopes between April 2024 and September 2024.
Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray said:
“I am pleased to see health boards are now reporting the tangible impacts of our investment to clear the longest waits. Our plan is delivering and we are seeing progress across a number of speciality areas. I thank staff for their outstanding effort in carrying out this additional activity which is having a positive impact on people’s lives.
“This is a good start, however, we know many people are still waiting too long. We are determined do more and our 2025-26 Budget, with cross-party support now agreed, will provide a record £21.7 billion for health – including £200 million to help clear waiting list backlogs, improve capacity and reduce delayed discharge.
“This record funding will help us ensure no one waits more than 12 months for a new outpatient appointment or inpatient/daycase treatment by March 2026. We will also deliver over 150,000 extra appointments and procedures in the coming year which will ensure people receive the care they need as quickly as possible.”
In April 2024, the Scottish Government allocated funds to NHS boards to deliver 64,000 procedures by March 2025, including 40,000 diagnostic procedures, 12,000 surgeries, and 12,000 new outpatient appointments. By January 2025, the NHS had already completed 56,500 diagnostic procedures, nearly 9,200 surgeries, and over 9,800 outpatient appointments.
The Scottish Government will continue to monitor the impact of this funding until the end of March 2025, with health boards expecting further progress. Latest data also indicates a rise in planned care activity between April 2024 and September 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, with an 8.3% increase in inpatient and daycase procedures and a 2.5% increase in new outpatient appointments.
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