Cole-Hamilton presses Health Secretary over long waits for cataract surgery

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has today launched an investigation into long waits for cataract surgery after it was revealed that patients have waited up to three years for care.

Mr Cole-Hamilton has now filed more than twenty written questions including pressing the Scottish Government about when the Health Secretary last met with key medical bodies and the number of facilities and staff available to perform the procedure.

Figures uncovered by MailOnline show 8,500 Scots paid around £2,500 for private cataract surgery last year – more than double the number who went private in 2019. There are currently 18,956 Scots on a cataract waiting list.

Commenting on the questions, Alex Cole-Hamilton said:

“Patients having to go private or face waits of up to three years to be able to see again is simply not on.

“Ministers need to ensure that cataract surgery waits come down and people can get the care they need swiftly and close to home.

“The public want to see politicians pursuing the issues that affect them day-in, day-out. I want these patients to know that I am on their side. These questions are part of an effort to get to the bottom of what is holding back patients from getting the care they need.

“Our NHS is being held back by neglect and mismanagement from SNP ministers. That is because for successive nationalist health secretaries, the NHS has come second to agitating over breaking up the UK.

“It seems likely that demand for these services will rise as the population ages. I know from working closely with campaigners pressing for a replacement for the Edinburgh Eye Pavilion that staff can work more efficiently and effectively if they have the right facilities available.

“The SNP have repeatedly demonstrated that the NHS will never be their priority. My party has a track record of exposing scandalous long waits and delivering investment. That’s why no matter where you live, anyone who is sick of long waits for healthcare should back the Scottish Liberal Democrats on their peach regional ballot at next year’s election.”