Government urged to investigate as chronic pain waiting list increases

The Scottish Government has been urged to investigate as more than one in 10 chronic pain patients wait more than a year for treatment.

Figures released by Public Health Scotland on Tuesday showed 13.4% of people waiting between January and March had waited longer than 12 months.

The figure was an increase from an average of 7.9% last year and just 0.3% in 2019.

The number of people seen within 12 weeks also dropped, according to the figures, falling from an average of 51.8% last year to 49.3% in the first quarter.

During the same time, the total number of people seen at chronic pain clinics dropped by 16.2% compared to the same time last year, from 2,028 to 1,699.

Responding to the figures, Scottish Labour deputy leader, Dame Jackie Baillie, said: “Behind these figures are thousands of patients left in limbo while living with crippling pain.

“But rather than getting the support they need, under the SNP, more and more patients are getting the message that their suffering doesn’t matter.

“The SNP must urgently investigate why waiting lists are increasing and ensure those living with chronic pain are seen as quickly as possible.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “The Scottish Government is taking action to improve care and services for people with chronic pain in Scotland.

“This includes making it easier to access the right care at the right time and enhancing services to deliver more effective and sustainable support for people living with chronic pain.

“Nevertheless, we know that performance is not where it needs to be and we continue to work closely with the health boards facing the greatest challenges in health and social care, to drive down waiting times and improve services for patients and staff.”

Scottish Tory health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane said: “It is absolutely shocking that more and more patients are being left to suffer in agony as a result of the SNP’s failure to get a grip on NHS waiting times.

“Those with chronic pain should be getting treated as quickly as possible, rather than wondering if they will ever get an appointment for their condition. Some of them are left with no option but to use their savings to go private.

“These appalling delays will be taking a toll on patients mentally as well as physically and it is clear cash-strapped health boards simply cannot meet demand.

“SNP ministers cannot ignore this situation any longer and must guarantee urgent support will get to those living with chronic pain.”