More than 8,000 children’s operations cancelled since 2019

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has today asked “How can Humza Yousaf look parents and patients in the eye?” as new figures reveal that since 2019 more than 8,000 children's operations have been cancelled.

Figures uncovered by Scottish Liberal Democrats through freedom of information requests show:

• Between January 2019 and April 2023, 8,074 children's operations were cancelled.

• Last year 1,927 operations were cancelled, including 660 in Glasgow alone.

• 621 operations were cancelled in the first three months of 2023, suggesting that the number of cancellations will rise this year.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said:

“The shocking scale of cancelled children’s operations is a badge of shame for this nationalist government. Behind these figures are countless children and parents having to wait in pain and distress.

"Some of these operations will have been cancelled for good reasons but many more will be because the staff and equipment to perform them simply isn't there.

“Years of neglect by this government have led to chronic staff shortages with communities across the country paying the price. How can Humza Yousaf look parents and patients in the eye?”

“Humza Yousaf’s NHS recovery plan has completely failed. We need a new plan which puts the experience and knowledge of NHS staff at the heart of it to bring local health services back from the brink.”