Hundreds of orthopedic patients in Moray are waiting years to get onto the operating table, it has been claimed.
Local MSP Richard Lochhead has written to NHS Grampian asking for an “up-to-date report” on orthopedic surgery waiting times amid repeated complaints from constituents.
He says many people have contacted him about their long-term waits and the impact it’s having on their daily lives.
Mr Lochhead said: “I was told in May that there are over 800 people on the Moray waiting list for orthopedic surgery and treatment.
“I’ve been contacted by many constituents awaiting knee relacements, hip replacements and such like who are being asked to wait between one and two years.
“People waiting for such operations are in significant discomfort and pain and are having their quality of life affected.”
‘Couldn’t have happened at a worse time’
He acknowledged that NHS staff are “working flat out” and said local theatre closures are adding to the delays, with patients having to go to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary instead.
Elective surgeries were hit after a damaged drainage pipe flooded the theatre suite, leaving two of the four theatres out of action.
Mr Lochhead said: “Due to theatre closures at Dr Gray’s due to drainage problems, clearly there has not been as much progress in dealing with this backlog as I would’ve hoped.
“Hopefully the two theatres temporarily closed at Dry Gray’s will reopen in a matter of weeks, but anything else NHS Grampian can do would make a real difference.
“Not only is the NHS dealing with the backlog of the pandemic, but we’re also dealing with these unfortunate temporary closures, it couldn’t have happened at a worse time.
“I appreciate patients will be willing to travel to Aberdeen if it means an end to their pain, but the waiting list there is such a length, much more needs to be done.”
Hospital general manager at Dr Gray’s, Alasdair Pattinson said: “During and since the pandemic it has been challenging to maintain bed capacity to deliver orthopaedic services at Dr Gray’s, given the unscheduled care demands on the hospital.
“The recent theatre flooding incident has compounded the problem, reducing inpatient elective operating capabilities at Dr Gray’s on a temporary basis for a period of time.
“Work continues to rectify this situation. Orthopaedic trauma surgery continues to be provided along with a range of orthopaedic minor surgical procedures.
“Woodend General Hospital is our dedicated Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation centre in NHS Grampian and has been made available to surgeons from Dr Gray’s and Moray residents, in order that critical operations can be provided without considerable further delay and in anticipation of the theatre situation at Dr Gray’s being resolved.”
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