Diagnostic test waiting lists ‘stubbornly high’ as 133,300 await appointment

Waiting lists for key NHS diagnostic tests remain “stubbornly high”, opposition MSPs said as figures showed 133,386 are awaiting scans and procedures.

Public Health Scotland data shows in the final quarter of 2024, there was a 4% decrease in the total waiting list.

However the figure remains 52% higher than pre-pandemic levels.

The eight key tests include endoscopy, colonoscopy, CT scans, MRI scans and non-obstetric ultrasound.

Public Health Scotland said of the 133,386 ongoing waits at the end of 2024, some 53% had not yet exceeded the six-week standard.

Scottish Conservative health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane said: “Delays to getting these key tests can be the difference between life and death for patients, so it’s deeply alarming that waiting lists remain stubbornly high, and far worse than they were pre-pandemic.

“The stats highlight the abject failure of the SNP’s Covid recovery plan to remobilise Scotland’s NHS.

“Nationalist health secretaries have left hardworking frontline staff exposed and unable to cope with patient demand in the aftermath of the pandemic.”

Scottish Labour health spokeswoman Dame Jackie Baillie said: “Well over 130,000 Scots remain waiting in anxiety for diagnostic tests while the SNP struggle to get our NHS back on track.

“Compared to pre-pandemic, the number of Scots waiting for key tests has soared by over 45,000.

“Only Scottish Labour has a plan to reform our NHS, empower doctors and cut waiting lists across our country for good.”

Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said: “With Scottish waiting lists now lagging well behind England, there is a real limit to how long SNP health secretaries can hide behind the pandemic.

“The Scottish Government’s stalled progress on national treatment centres is actively making things worse.”

Responding to the figures, Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “I am pleased to see the latest figures show a 4% decrease in the total waiting list size for diagnostics – with waits now at their lowest since October 2021.

“The total number of ongoing waits for the eight key diagnostic tests combined has also reduced by 12% from a recent peak in April 2024.

“I am grateful to our NHS staff for their hard work to help achieve this good progress.

“These latest figures show our plan to bring down waiting times is delivering – but we are determined to do more.

“Our 2025-26 Budget will provide a record £21.7 billion for health – including £200 million to help clear waiting list backlogs and improve capacity.”