The Rising Cost of Cataract Surgery in Scotland
Thousands of Scots are turning to their personal savings to afford cataract surgery as the National Health Service (NHS) faces a growing backlog of patients waiting for treatment. Recent data reveals that 8,500 individuals paid approximately £2,500 for the procedure last year, more than double the number who opted for private care in 2019. This trend highlights the increasing pressure on the NHS and the challenges faced by patients seeking timely medical care.
A Growing Crisis in NHS Waiting Times
Currently, around 19,000 people across Scotland are on a waiting list for cataract surgery. Some patients have been waiting for over three years, with one individual under the care of NHS Grampian having waited for 1,253 days—nearly three-and-a-half years. These long waits underscore the severity of the crisis within the healthcare system and raise concerns about the effectiveness of current measures to address delays.
Public Health Scotland recently acknowledged that waiting times for specialist appointments and treatments have reached record highs. The number of people waiting more than two years for an outpatient clinic appointment has risen to 5,262. Despite promises from First Minister John Swinney to reduce waiting lists, the situation remains dire for many patients.
Political Responses and Public Concerns
The Scottish Liberal Democrat leader, Alex Cole-Hamilton, expressed concern over the impact of prolonged waits on patients. He emphasized the distress caused by these delays and criticized the lack of support for NHS staff working to reduce backlogs. Cole-Hamilton pointed out that the Scottish National Party (SNP) appears to have no clear plan for addressing long waits in complex specialties like cataract surgery.
Data obtained through the Private Healthcare Market Information group shows a significant increase in the number of Scots opting for private procedures. In 2024, 8,500 individuals paid for cataract surgery themselves, compared to 4,075 in 2019. This shift reflects growing frustration among patients who feel they cannot rely on the NHS to provide timely care.
Regional Variations in Waiting Times
The problem is not uniform across Scotland. Different health boards report varying lengths of waiting times. For example:
- NHS Grampian: One patient has been waiting for 1,253 days.
- NHS Shetland: 869 days.
- NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde: 824 days.
- NHS Ayrshire and Arran: 680 days.
- NHS Borders: 644 days.
- NHS Fife: 548 days.
- NHS Lanarkshire: 532 days.
- NHS Highland: 508 days.
These figures highlight regional disparities and suggest that some areas are struggling more than others to manage the demand for cataract surgery.
Current Efforts to Address the Issue
In response to the crisis, the Scottish Government has allocated £106 million to health boards to help tackle the longest waits and deliver over 150,000 additional appointments and procedures. NHS Grampian has also acknowledged the issue, stating that it is taking action to reduce waiting lists and apologizing to those who have experienced long delays.
Despite these efforts, many patients remain concerned about the future of the NHS and the availability of timely care. As waiting lists continue to grow, the need for effective solutions becomes increasingly urgent.
