Scottish Government slammed over persistent failure to release chronic pain statistics
The lives of Scots living with chronic pain are at risk because the Scottish Government is refusing to release statistics revealing how they have to wait for treatment.
A Holyrood cross-party group has been campaigning for the release of the figures for years and say the delay means patients’ health is being put at risk.
Campaigners hit out after a government civil servant admitted to the group that statistics were available but couldn’t be disclosed.
The time has come now to publish what we've got, with caveats or omissions - Dr Richard Simpson
Liz Porterfield, head of strategic planning and clinical priorities, said NHS statisticians had blocked their release backed by a ministerial steering group led by SNP public health minister Maureen Watt.
She told the group: "I did commit to doing my best to get publishable data from the new data collection program for chronic pain waiting times by the month.
“I concede that. I also have tell you I have failed."
Campaigners now say they will force the release of the figures through a Freedom of Information request.
Former SNP MSP Dorothy-Grace Elder, who set up the cross-party group in 2001, said she believed the statistics are being hidden as they would reveal how long patients are forced to wait.
"Speaking personally, I found it appalling that waiting list figures for chronic pain clinics are still being withheld, after firm promises for almost a year to reveal them to the parliament's cross party group on chronic pain," she said.
"All governments are keen to show stats on anything when they're favourable.
“Improving relief of long-term pain is a life or death matter for the worst pain levels, this meeting was not the first at which a patient was in tears mentioning suicidal thoughts.”
Chronic pain is defined as pain which lasts for more than 12 weeks and affects almost one in five Scots.
Dr Richard Simpson, Labour MSP, told Porterfield: "I personally would rather see the data published from the boards you have got.
"This group has waited long enough, about two years ago this is what we were discussing and the time has come now to publish what we've got – with caveats or omissions."
