Scottish Government Pledges £25.5 Million to Reduce NHS Waiting Times and Boost Patient Care
The Scottish Government has announced a £25.5 million funding boost for NHS Scotland, aimed at reducing waiting times and expanding access to planned care appointments and procedures across the country. This investment brings the total additional funding for the NHS in Scotland to £135.5 million in 2025–26, reinforcing ongoing efforts to tackle long waits and improve patient care.
The funding will enable health boards to increase capacity for outpatient appointments and inpatient/day case procedures across a range of key specialties, including orthopaedics, dermatology, and gynaecology. Early results are promising between April and September 2025, more than 31,000 additional appointments and procedures were delivered compared to the same period in 2024, demonstrating tangible improvements for patients.
The £25.5 million allocation will be distributed among Scotland’s health boards, including:
- Ayrshire and Arran
- Fife
- Grampian
- Greater Glasgow and Clyde
- Highland
- Lanarkshire
- Lothian
- Shetland
- Tayside
Commenting on the announcement, the Scottish First Minister said:
“The latest figures show our plan to support Scotland’s NHS is working and delivering real benefits for patients. Earlier this year we provided £110 million of targeted funding to tackle the longest waiting lists. Now, with this additional £25.5 million, we are expanding capacity even further, bringing the total additional funding to £135.5 million for 2025–26.”
“Our dedicated NHS staff, like those I met today at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, are working tirelessly to provide the care patients need and deserve. We are already seeing results: the total waiting list and the longest waits are coming down, and more patients are being treated than last year. While there is still work to do, these improvements are very encouraging.”
The First Minister added:
“Under my leadership, the people of Scotland can expect a strong National Health Service delivering high-quality patient care across the country. This funding ensures our health boards have the resources they need to continue reducing waiting times and improving outcomes for patients.”
This investment underscores the Scottish Government’s commitment to tackling NHS waiting lists, strengthening patient access, and supporting the highest standards of healthcare in Scotland. By targeting additional resources to key specialties and health boards, the initiative aims to deliver faster care, enhance treatment availability, and ensure that patients receive timely, effective medical support across the nation.
