NEW figures show that 15,500 fewer operations were carried out in Dumfries and Galloway over the last four years.
The data obtained by the Conservatives show that a total of 62,408 operations were performed between March 2020 to June 2024, compared to the equivalent period prior to 2020 when 78,064 were reported.
Galloway and West MSP Finlay Carson described the situation as ‘shameful’ and has pointed the finger of blame at Holyrood, he said: “The Scottish Government has failed miserably to remobilise frontline services – and that is shown in the sharp reduction of operations that are now being carried out, compared to before the pandemic.
Many patients are seeing operations cancelled on the day, or the day before, they were scheduled – which takes a huge toll on them, mentally as well as physically.
“Dire workforce planning by successive SNP health secretaries means staff in NHS Dumfries and Galloway are dangerously overstretched and simply cannot carry out all the scheduled operations, despite their best efforts.”
It is a similar situation when it comes to delayed discharge from hospitals where a three per cent increase has been reported. In June 2024, 2967 delayed bed days were reported occupied, an average of 99 beds daily, this compares to 2876 delayed bed days in June 2023, an average of 96 beds daily.
Mr Carson added: “These delays have a “devastating” knock-on effect on other areas of the health service, including patients having operations cancelled and longer waits at A and E.
“There are patients who are fit and healthy enough to leave hospital, and who are desperate to return their home or care home, yet find themselves stuck in hospital beds.
“The SNP promised to eradicate delayed discharge from hospitals nine years ago, but instead we see levels soaring from year to year.”
