MORE than 100 people have had to wait longer than 12 weeks for an outpatient appointment in Argyll and Bute, according to a new report.

The latest meeting of the Argyll and Bute integrated joint board, which oversees health and social care services in the area, was told that the number of new outpatients waiting longer than the Scottish Government's 12-week target in the area stood at 138 at the end of March.

The IJB's meeting, held in Lochgilphead on August 2, was told that breaches of the waiting time target had been identified in ophthalmology, ENT, orthopaedics and dermatology across the Argyll and Bute area.

Stephen Whiston, head of strategic planning and performance at the Argyll and Bute health and social care partnership, told the board members that the increase was partly down to greater demand – but partly also because of consultant staffing gaps at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, where many Argyll and Bute patients are treated, “meaning that they are unable to meet the targets for routine patients and are focussing on urgent referrals”.

According to a briefing paper issued by the board after last week's meeting, its members "noted that it is likely that further breaches in the waiting times target will occur across the HSCP and within NHS GG&C unless there is additional funding secured to support additional clinics and service redesign".