Data obtained under freedom of information legislation shows more than 400 NHS Lothian patients are waiting for surgery to treat an often debilitatingly painful condition.
It also show one patient has waited 114 weeks for surgery to treat endometriosis, as of June 1.
Miles Briggs, conservative MSP for the Lothian list, told the LDRS that the waiting times are ‘totally unacceptable’ and leave patients in often severe chronic pain.
He added that ministers had failed to make real progress to reduce waiting times for the surgery, and that a new model is needed to speed up surgical procedures on NHS Scotland.
SNP health minister Maree Todd said she acknowledged long waits were causing ‘great anxiety’ for patients, but that £13m in extra funding last year to target gynaecology waits was beginning to show progress.
Dr Tracy Gilles, medical director at NHS Lothian, said the service apologises to patients for the wait, and added that treatment for it can be complex, requiring different specialties and adding to wait times.
Endometriosis is a condition where cells similar to those in the uterus grow in other parts of the body, usually in areas around the womb.
When these cells break down and bleed, but cannot leave the body, they can cause severe pain.
The condition can also lead to severe period pain, heavy pain, chronic pain in parts of the body and fatigue, among other symptoms.
Treatment can involve medication, such as painkillers and medications to adjust hormones, but surgery is a common intervention to help break down areas of endometriosis or remove areas of the body impacted by it.
Dr Gilles said NHS Lothian had added four new clinical consultants for gynaecology in the past year, and that clinics and theatre sessions were running evenings and weekends to help with wait times.
Mr Briggs said change was needed, telling the LDRS: “These waiting times for endometriosis surgery in NHS Lothian are totally unacceptable, and sees patients left in often severe pain.
“SNP ministers have failed to make any real progress to reduce the waiting time.
“It is clear we need to see a new model to speed up surgical procedures in the NHS in Scotland, and for ministers to be honest with where they have failed to provide the leadership to get these unacceptable waits down.”
Ms Todd said: “I understand delays to diagnosis and treatment cause women great anxiety while they try to manage symptoms.
“We are clear we need urgent action and that is why last year we invested £13 million in additional funding to Health Boards to target long waits for gynaecology.
“We are beginning to see the impact of that investment, with waits coming down, and have allocated £100m across all planned care to build on the progress made in the 2025-26 Operational Improvement Plan.”
Dr Gilles said: “Our highly specialised, multi-disciplinary team is committed to providing safe and effective care and a range of treatments, including pain management, physiotherapy, dietician support and psychology support throughout a patient’s care.”
She added that treatments can sometimes be rescheduled for ‘a number of reasons’, including the availability of patients.
By Joseph Sullivan Local Democracy Reporter
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