MSP Martin Whitfield has criticised the Scottish Government after figures revealed that more than 100,000 people were on NHS Lothian’s waiting lists.

Data from Public Health Scotland show that 111,859 people in the Lothians are still awaiting treatment, with 11,313 patients having waited for over a year.

Mr Whitfield, Labour MSP for South Scotland, and a former East Lothian MP, said: “These astounding figures are nothing short of a disaster for Lothian patients, exposing once and for all what an abject failure the SNP’s NHS Recovery Plan has been.

“Now we are in the midst of a full-scale crisis, with more than 11,000 patients in Lothian languishing on waiting lists for over a year and counting.

“The Health Secretary must get a grip on this ticking timebomb and deliver a recovery plan that is truly fit for purpose.”

The figures are similar across the rest of the country, with one in nine Scots still awaiting treatment and 59,725 having waited over a year for their appointments.

The Scottish Government has admitted that the increased pressure caused by the Omicron strain of Covid-19 and resultant staff absences has created “unprecedented challenges” to the health service.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “These figures have undoubtedly been impacted by Omicron-related staff absences, with health boards reporting a 65 per cent increase in coronavirus absence compared to the previous week.”

This has been compounded by rising hospital admissions caused by the new variant, which are “significantly higher” than last January, prolonging the misery for many people still waiting for medical attention.

Jacquie Campbell, chief officer, acute services NHS Lothian, said “Since the start of the pandemic, a large volume of routine appointments and diagnostic tests have been postponed.

“In addition, in order to protect our patients and staff, we have been unable to schedule as many procedures and appointments as we would typically expect to do.

“Together, this has unfortunately resulted in extended waits for some of our patients. Across all of our services, however, staff are working incredibly hard to increase appointments where it is safe to do so and reduce waiting times.”

The Scottish Government reiterated that the most effective way to relieve stress on the NHS was to stay safe, follow the Covid guidelines in place and get vaccinated.