Long waits for gynae appointments

WAITS for gynaecology appointments in region have more than tripled in the last six years, according to new data. The information obtained by Scottish Labour shows that in 2019-2020 the median wait for inpatient gynaecology appointments was 37 days. But in 2024-2025 the median wait for an appointment is 112 days, which is an increase of 203 per cent. The only region in Scotland with a longer average wait in 2024-2025 was Lanarkshire where patients can wait up to 178 days for an appointment.

Meanwhile the two regions with the joint lowest average for patients were Lothian and Forth Valley, where women waited on average 36 days for gynaecology appointments. The figures have been condemned by Scottish Labour MSP Carol Mochan, who described them as ‘shocking’ and accused the Scottish Government of ‘letting women down’. She said: “Behind these shocking figures are women in Dumfries and Galloway waiting in pain and anxiety for years at a time. “The SNP government promised to improve women’s health — instead it has let them down again by allowing waiting lists soar. “Women and their health deserve better. I am committed to overseeing a significant reduction in these waiting list times so that women’s health is going in the right direction rather than being held back, but that will not happen if we keep making excuses.”