{"id":1072815,"date":"2026-07-06T22:09:26","date_gmt":"2026-07-06T22:09:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1072815\/"},"modified":"2026-07-06T22:09:26","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T22:09:26","slug":"more-than-400-lothian-patients-are-waiting-for-surgery-to-treat-endometriosis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1072815\/","title":{"rendered":"More than 400 Lothian patients are waiting for surgery to treat endometriosis"},"content":{"rendered":"

Data obtained under freedom of information legislation shows more than 400 NHS Lothian patients are waiting for surgery to treat an\u00a0often debilitatingly\u00a0painful condition.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It also\u00a0show\u00a0one patient has waited 114 weeks for surgery to treat endometriosis, as of June 1.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Miles Briggs, conservative MSP for the Lothian list, told the LDRS that the waiting times are \u2018totally unacceptable\u2019 and leave patients in often severe chronic pain.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

SNP health minister Maree Todd said she acknowledged long waits were causing \u2018great anxiety\u2019 for patients, but that \u00a313m in extra funding last year to target gynaecology waits was beginning to show progress.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u00a0and adding to wait times.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Endometriosis is a condition where cells\u00a0similar to\u00a0those in the uterus grow in other parts of the body, usually in areas around the womb.\u00a0<\/p>\n

When these cells break down and bleed, but cannot leave the body, they can cause severe pain.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The condition can also lead to severe period pain, heavy pain, chronic pain in parts of the body and fatigue, among other symptoms.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u00a0impacted\u00a0by it.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Mr Briggs said change was needed, telling the LDRS: \u201cThese waiting times for endometriosis surgery in NHS Lothian are\u00a0totally unacceptable, and sees patients left in often severe pain.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cSNP ministers have failed to make any real progress to reduce the waiting time.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt 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.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Ms Todd said: \u201cI understand delays to diagnosis and treatment cause women great anxiety while they try to manage symptoms.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are clear we need urgent action and that is why last year we invested \u00a313 million in\u00a0additional\u00a0funding to Health Boards to target long waits for gynaecology.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are beginning to see the impact of that investment, with waits coming down, and have allocated \u00a3100m across all planned care to build on the progress made in the 2025-26 Operational Improvement Plan.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Dr Gilles said: \u201cOur 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\u2019s care.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

She added that treatments can sometimes be rescheduled for \u2018a number of\u00a0reasons\u2019,\u00a0including the availability of patients.\u00a0<\/p>\n

By Joseph Sullivan Local Democracy Reporter\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"image_pdf\"<\/a>\"image_print\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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