SNP's sticking plaster approach not working as NHS bleeds dry

A constituent recently contacted me for assistance with his ophthalmology appointment following a cataract diagnosis.

- Sue Webber

Admittedly not life threatening, but anything affecting your sight will obviously be very alarming.NHS Lothian claims most patients will start treatment within 18 weeks of their GP referral, so he expected a wait of around four months, and three weeks after his optician's referral to specialists, a letter arrived to say he was on the waiting list. There the good news ended because his treatment would be in go weeks. Incredulous, he checked again three weeks later, and the list had grown to 106 weeks, a staggering four months' increase in just 21 days.

Being inquisitive, he checked out waiting times elsewhere and discovered what looks like an astonishing difference;