Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP, Liz Smith, has expressed her disappointment at new statistics showing an increase in waiting times for patients requiring wheelchair repairs in the Tayside region.
Three-quarters of urgent repairs should be fixed within one day but in the most recent statistics, this standard is only being met in half of all cases.
Tayside is also struggling when it comes to routine repairs with only 28.5% of jobs in September finishing within the five day target. This is set against a 90% standard.
The four-week target for special wheelchair assessments is higher still at 95% but Tayside is failing to achieve this and recorded a pitiful 22.4% completion rate in September.
Liz Smith is currently in the early stages of progressing a Members Bill in the Scottish Parliament on closing the legislative gap that exists for residents reliant on wheelchairs.
Commenting, Liz Smith MSP said:
“These figures are particularly disappointing, with performance falling off a cliff in recent months in Tayside.
“Ultimately, I would hope that this is just a blip and not part of a longer-term trend but it is important that the factors behind this recent slide are tackled.
“Patients who are reliant on wheelchairs are some of the most vulnerable in society and conducting repairs in a timely fashion must be a priority.
“I am currently in the early stages of progressing a Members Bill aimed at closing legislative gaps for wheelchair users and these statistics underline just how far we have to go.”