Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray is facing calls to apologise for what has been branded an ‘abject failure’ after it was revealed that more than 20,000 patients have died while on NHS waiting lists during his tenure.
A Tragic Toll of Avoidable Deaths
Official figures obtained by the Scottish Conservatives show that 20,488 people died while waiting for treatment between February last year, when Mr Gray took charge, and September this year. This equates to an average of 35 lives lost each day. The data, gathered from Scotland’s 14 regional health boards, includes individuals waiting for critical procedures such as cancer treatment, cardiac surgery, and trauma and orthopaedic operations.
The worst-affected health boards were NHS Grampian, with 6,072 deaths, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde with 5,215, and NHS Ayrshire & Arran with 2,758. The total is likely to have risen since the data was collected.
Political Condemnation and Unworkable Pledges
Scottish Conservative health spokesman, Dr Sandesh Gulhane, issued a scathing condemnation of the SNP minister’s record. ‘These shameful figures lay bare the extent of Neil Gray’s abject failure as Health Secretary,’ he stated. ‘On his watch, waiting lists have spiralled out of control - and these delays have led to a tragic toll of avoidable deaths.’
Dr Gulhane also attacked the SNP’s policy initiatives, highlighting a flagship pledge for English-style walk-in GP centres made by First Minister John Swinney in October. It was subsequently revealed that Mr Gray had only held one meeting about the policy the day before it was announced. The Health Secretary was also unable to tell MSPs the cost of the first 15 centres, leading to criticism from medical professionals who pointed to existing GP and nurse shortages.
‘Instead of a credible plan for winter, Neil Gray has spent time on unworkable gimmicks that experts say cannot be staffed,’ Dr Gulhane added. ‘He must apologise and take urgent action before more patients die preventable deaths.’
Persistent Crisis Despite SNP Promises
The crisis has deepened despite repeated SNP promises to tackle the backlog. When Mr Gray became Health Secretary in February 2023, there were 534,178 patients waiting for outpatient appointments and 156,108 waiting for inpatient or day case treatment.
Despite an extra £25 million investment announced last month, the latest figures for the quarter ending September show the situation has barely improved, with 547,179 outpatient and 155,807 inpatient/day case waits. Mr Gray was appointed to the health portfolio amid a government crisis following the resignation of his predecessor, Michael Matheson, over an expenses scandal.
In response to the figures, Mr Gray said: ‘My thoughts at Christmas are of course with those families who have lost loved ones. We know many are still facing unacceptable waits and we are determined to build on recent progress to ensure people receive the treatment they need as soon as possible.’
