Highland orthopaedic patients facing seven-year wait for treatment according to study

Orthopaedic patients face a seven-year wait in the Highlands unless surgical rates increase dramatically, according to new research.

The Times has reported that the study, from the University of Aberdeen, said the average wait for orthopaedic treatment would climb to more than two years and three months if the pace of operations being carried out persists.

However figures also showed orthopaedic patients in the NHS Highland area are predicted to wait up to seven years for an operation under the worst case scenario.

Clinical research fellow Luke Farrow is quoted as saying: “Our key findings suggest that there is a significant annual case deficit that will not be resolved even in best-case scenario conditions. Waiting lists are therefore anticipated to continue to grow annually, further adding to the backlog.”

The Scottish Government said: “We introduced ambitious targets for NHS Scotland to address the backlog. We are working with NHS boards to maximise capacity to meet these targets.”

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