Long waits for oral and maxillofacial surgery in Scotland revealed by Lib Dems

Long waits for oral and maxillofacial surgery in Scotland revealed by Lib Dems

Statistics obtained by the Scottish Liberal Democrats show waits of up to 125 weeks for inpatient oral and maxillofacial treatment in Scotland. This is set against the  Scottish government’s 12-week target for surgery. “These new figures have shed light on the staggeringly long waits some patients face for important dental treatment,” said a spokesman.

The case of a patient forced to wait more than four years for dental treatment has ignited calls for the Scottish government to “step in and take action”, reports the Sunday Times. One patient waited 243 weeks for outpatient oral and maxillofacial surgery in NHS Grampian while another in NHS Tayside was forced to endure a 131-week wait for unspecified outpatient work.

“These new figures have shed light on the staggeringly long waits some patients face for important dental treatment,” said Alex Cole-Hamilton, health spokesman for the Lib Dems. “In many cases, such lengthy delays are seriously disrupting patients’ lives. The health secretary [Jeane Freeman] needs to take immediate action to get services back on track. For a start, she could publish the integrated workforce plan that staff were told would be out last year.”

NHS Grampian said a clinic had been contracted to help clear a backlog of dental patients. “We have a significant number of people awaiting dental extractions, following a referral from their dentist. To clear the backlog, a contract has been awarded to a local clinic.”

David McColl, chairman of the British Dental Association’s (BDA) Scottish dental practice committee, said: “Patients shouldn’t be waiting eons for life-changing surgery. These procedures can help restore functionality and appearance to a patient’s teeth and mouth after cancer or serious injuries. Ministers can’t go on treating dentistry as an optional extra in Scotland’s health service.”

A Scottish government spokeswoman said: “No one should have to wait too long for dental treatment, and that is why we have taken decisive action to address the issue. Our waiting times improvement plan will substantially and sustainably improve waiting times. We will continue to work with boards to ensure this extra funding delivers the substantial and sustainable improvements needed.”

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