Number of Lothian patients waiting for diagnostic tests has risen by over a third

The number of patients in Lothian waiting for tests and scans has gone up by 35.5 per cent since 2019.

Across Scotland, 102,716 people are waiting for tests, an increase of 17.5 per cent from 2019.

A new report from Public Health Scotland reveals that patients waiting for a key diagnostic test has increased from 10,657 in September 2019 to 14,443 in September 2020.

The figures relate to eight key diagnostic tests: upper endoscopy, lower endoscopy, colonoscopy, cystoscopy, CT scan, MRI scan, barium studies and non-obstetric ultrasound.

The increase in NHS Lothian wait lists is 35.5 per cent which is significantly higher than the country's total.

The number of patients waiting on one of eight key diagnostic tests has increased to 14,443 as of September 2020.

Across Scotland, 102,716 people are waiting for tests and scans, an increase of 17.5 per cent from 2019.

To date 4,667 additional waits have been added to wait lists in Lothian and for the first time, NHS Lothian has submitted figures for waits greater than or equal to 183 days.

With 3,450 patients waiting over 183 days, 1,070 patients waiting over 274 days and 157 patients waiting over a year.

Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, said: “It is very concerning that so many people are waiting on these key diagnostic tests which are crucial for determining the correct treatments for patients.

“These new figures show that thousands of patients are waiting far longer than they should for these tests, as well as an increase in the number of patients who are waiting fewer than 183 days.

“Covid-19 has impacted on the number of tests NHS Lothian can carry, however poor leadership from SNP Ministers and consistent underfunding meant that these delays were happening well before Covid-19.”

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