The number of patients waiting months to be seen for musculoskeletal issues has been branded “disgraceful”.
New figures show nearly half of people in Dumfries and Galloway who were seen in the first three months of the year had waited more than four weeks for their first outpatient appointment.
And nearly a quarter of them had waited more than 16 weeks.
Galloway and West Dumfries MSP Finlay Carson said: “These figures are simply not good enough.
“Patients in NHS Dumfries and Galloway who are suffering with musculoskeletal conditions will often be suffering in constant pain. They need reassurance that appointments will be offered as quickly as possible.
“While far too many are waiting more than a month to be seen, it is disgraceful the number who have waited six months to be seen.”
Musculoskeletal injuries are ones that affect bones, muscles, ligaments, nerves or tendons resulting in pain.
The Scottish Government target is that at least 90 per cent of patients receive their first outpatient appointment within four weeks of a referral.
Data from Public Health Scotland shows that in the first three months of the year, 56,934 people received a first appointment but just 54.4 per cent of those had waited less than four weeks to be seen.
In Dumfries and Galloway, 2,044 patients were seen but only 51.1 per cent received their appointment within four weeks of being referred.
And of the 48.9 per cent who waited more than four weeks between January and March this year, 24.34 per cent ended up waiting more than 16 weeks.
A spokesman for NHS Dumfries and Galloway said: “All referrals through the region’s musculoskeletal pathway are prioritised on the basis of clinical need. Anyone requiring urgent support will be dealt with as a priority and with patient safety the paramount concern.
“Pressures continue to be experienced across the whole of the region’s health and social care system, there are staffing vacancies within the musculoskeletal pathway and the impact of the pandemic continues to be experienced.
“This results in pressures within the musculoskeletal pathway – meaning some patients waiting longer to be seen than would be desired.
“However, work has been taking place to develop and implement improvements and new ways of working so as to ensure the musculoskeletal pathway is being employed as efficiently and effectively as possible.
“Advice and guidance continues to be promoted on the management of general musculoskeletal issues.”
