Over £34 million has been spent on planning delayed NHS treatment centres in Scotland, aimed at addressing the backlog of operations. However, the future of these centres remains uncertain, as construction was put on hold in February 2024, and a decision on their progress is not expected until later this year.
The £34 Million Investment
The National Treatment Centres (NTCs), designed to perform 40,000 additional surgeries, diagnostics, and procedures per year by 2026, have faced multiple delays. Figures from the Scottish Government reveal that £34.2 million has been spent on developing plans for the centres in Livingston, Perth, Aberdeen, Ayr, and Cumbernauld, with only limited progress.
Breakdown of Costs:
- Livingston: £9.7m spent on planning a major surgery centre, initially budgeted at £70.9m, now estimated at £184m.
- Perth: £12.5m in development costs.
- Aberdeen: £6.8m invested.
- Cumbernauld: £323,000 spent despite a lack of a finalized site.
- Ayr: £2.9m spent on refurbishing Carrick Glen Hospital for use as an NTC.
Delays and Government Response
The planned network of NTCs is vital for addressing the growing surgery backlog, but several centres have yet to be built. Although four centres (Clydebank, Kirkcaldy, Inverness, and Larbert) are operational and contributing to reducing waiting times, further expansion has been delayed.
Waiting Times and Personal Impact
The delayed openings of these centres come amid increasing NHS waiting times. Edinburgh resident Clare Fallas was shocked to learn that her knee surgery would take 118 weeks to be scheduled. Faced with this long wait, Clare opted for private treatment at a cost of over £4,000, highlighting the severe impact of NHS delays on patients.
Impact on Waiting Lists
Dr. Syed Ahmar Shah from the University of Edinburgh warns that without increasing capacity, NHS waiting lists in Scotland could reach nearly one million people by December 2024. The National Treatment Centres were designed to ease this burden by providing additional procedures, but delays are preventing this target from being met.
The Future of NHS Treatment Centres
In light of the setbacks, the Scottish Government has committed to continuing work on NHS infrastructure. The government spokesperson confirmed that £139 million in additional funding would restart key NHS capital projects. Updates on the future of the NTCs will be provided after the UK government’s Spending Review this spring.
Despite the challenges, the operational centres continue to help reduce the backlog, with additional projects like a replacement for the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion in Edinburgh also in the pipeline.
