Scot Lib Dems reveal longest waits for occupational therapy in every council area

Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Adam Harley has today revealed that patients are waiting more than two years for an occupational therapy assessment as he called on the Scottish Government to do more to help people to leave hospital and get on with their lives.

Freedom of information requests submitted by Scottish Liberal Democrats have revealed the longest occupational therapy waits in every council area last year, with patients in Highlands waiting up to 847 days last year. Other regions with long waits included Glasgow (767), Edinburgh (697), Perth & Kinross (645), Argyll & Bute (630), Midlothian (592), Falkirk (581), Fife (458) and North Lanarkshire (431).

The party also revealed that there are at least 8,327 people awaiting an occupational therapy assessment, including more than 1,100 in Fife alone. The other areas with the most people waiting were Glasgow (892) and Highland (822).

The areas reporting the longest average waits were Perth & Kinross (335 days) Edinburgh (175) and Midlothian (128 days).

Commenting on the figures, Mr Harley said:

“These assessments are a crucial part of people being able to get on with their lives and when they are not carried out, their lives are put on hold.

“No one should be left to wrestle with an unnecessary loss of independence, avoidable hospital admissions and deteriorating mental health.

“While there is little doubt that an aging population and increasing numbers of complex cases play a part in this, there’s also a lingering sense that occupational therapy has been undervalued by a string of SNP health secretaries.

“Recruitment has struggled to keep pace with demand and experienced staff are retiring or leaving due to burnout. We need safe staffing across the sector. We also need investment in social care to allow people to receive vital care at home.”