A politician fears Moray’s main hospital is under too much pressure – after it emerged that patients have to check on the morning of planned operations to ensure there are free beds.
Conservative MSP Mary Scanlon, a former shadow health secretary, said the problem was a symptom of the Scottish Government’s targets for the NHS.
She spoke out after a Moray man contacted the Press and Journal to highlight that patients with scheduled procedures at Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin had been asked to call in to double-check there were available beds.
An NHS Grampian spokeswoman said: “During periods of particularly high demand only, we may rearrange our elective procedures schedule to make space for emergency cases.
“When this happens we let patients know in advance there is a possibility their appointment may be rescheduled.
“We then advise them to contact the hospital on the day to get the most up to date information.
“Rearranging electives is a last resort for us and is done according to clinical need. Therefore, the most urgent patients will still be seen.”
Highlands and Islands MSP Mrs Scanlon said: “This is an indication of the serious pressures the NHS is under to meet the 12-week treatment time guarantee set by the SNP government.
“It’s better to stop people coming to hospital than to have them waiting around for hours or days before their operations.
“But this can be very difficult if you are in business or you have already booked the time off in order to have an operation.
“There’s no doubt that this can be very difficult for many patients who have to arrange child care as well.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Challenging targets can be vital in driving improvements.
“Our targets have reduced waiting times to historically low levels and seen more Scots diagnosed and treated quickly for cancer.
“But the NHS must always put the quality of care and the interests of patients first. The clinical targets are just one part of our continuing drive to deliver high-quality patient care.
“We have recently reduced the number of targets to ensure the focus is on those which provide the most significant benefits.
“There is also ongoing investment across the NHS, including across the Highlands and north-east Scotland, to boost capacity and ensure plans are in place to deal with pressures throughout the year and in particular in winter.”