Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston expresses concern over chronic pain clinic waiting times
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Conservative MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston says it is a "real concern" that people in the NHS Highland area have had to wait so long for help with pain.
Mr Halcro Johnston said newly released statistics covering the quarter to March 2021 showed 39 local patients had waited a year or more for an appointment with a chronic pain clinic.
The comparable figure from the previous year was just five.
“We all understand that the NHS has been operating during unprecedentedly challenging times during the pandemic," he said.
“Nevertheless it is a real concern that some people struggling with chronic pain are having to wait such a long time to be seen and that, compared to other regions, there seems to be a high proportion of people in the Highlands who find themselves in this position.
“The latest figures apply to the end of March so, hopefully, there has been an improvement since, but it is something I intend to raise with ministers as we can’t allow a situation like this to persist for long.”
