Deaths on NHS Forth Valley waiting lists

New data shows more than 850 people across the Forth Valley have died while on an NHS waiting list since February 2024.

It includes people waiting for cardiac surgery, and cancer treatment.

Across Scotland, more than 20,000 NHS waiting list patients have died in the 18 months to September.

An NHS Forth Valley statement says:

"NHS Forth Valley is one of the best performing NHS Boards in Scotland for reducing waiting times for outpatient appointments and operations. Patients with more serious clinical conditions who require urgent care and treatment are always prioritised and seen more quickly.

This data also includes patients on waiting lists for all reasons, including routine or non-urgent appointments which may be unrelated to their primary treatment, as well as patients referred to other national or regional centres for specialist tests or treatment."

Scottish Conservative shadow health secretary Sandesh Gulhane MSP said: “These shameful figures lay bare the extent of Neil Gray’s abject failure as health secretary.

“On his watch, waiting lists have spiralled out of control – and these delays have led to a tragic toll of avoidable deaths.

“My thoughts are with those families who are grieving needlessly lost loved ones this Christmas.

“Frontline NHS staff are working tirelessly for patients but they are completely overwhelmed due to the SNP’s dire workforce planning and Humza Yousaf’s flimsy recovery plan.

“Instead of coming up with a credible plan to get our NHS through winter, Neil Gray has spent time on unworkable gimmicks like walk-in GP clinics that experts say cannot be staffed.

“He must apologise and take urgent action to cut Scotland’s intolerable waiting lists before more patients die preventable deaths.”