Question reference: S6W-10386
- Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 22 August 2022
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Current status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 20 September 2022
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on what the reasons are for more people reportedly using private healthcare.
Answer
The Scottish Government does not hold information on the reasons why people are reportedly using private healthcare.
However, we recognise that addressing the effects of the pandemic has inevitably disrupted the NHS’s ability to carry out routine procedures, meaning longer waits for many patients. We are resuming services as quickly and as safely as possible, while patients who need urgent care, including cancer treatment, are being prioritised.
We recognise the impact long waiting times can have on patients. That is why we have introduced a new set of ambitious targets for NHS Scotland to address the backlog of planned care. Key targets are to eliminate:
- Two-year waits for outpatients in most specialities by the end of August 2022
- 18-month waits for outpatients in most specialities by the end of December 2022
- One-year waits for outpatients in most specialities by the end of March 2023
- Two-year waits for inpatient / daycases in most specialities by the end of September 2022
- 18-month waits for inpatient / daycases in most specialities by the end of September 2023
- One-year waits for inpatient / daycases in most specialities by the end of September 2024
We are working with NHS Boards to maximise capacity to meet these targets and have increased the flexibility Health Boards and clinicians have to manage waiting lists, with a focus on eliminating long waits, as well as continuing to treat the most clinically urgent patients.
The Scottish Government remain absolutely committed to keeping our NHS true to its founding principles – publicly-owned, publicly-operated, and free at the point of need.