Scotland’s health service is set for a major boost, with more than 300,000 additional appointments and procedures planned this year as part of a record investment in the NHS.
The Scottish Government has confirmed £110 million in extra funding aimed squarely at tackling long waits, reducing backlogs and ensuring patients are seen faster in key areas of care.
The investment, announced in the 2025‑26 Budget, includes £106 million already allocated to boost capacity across services and a further £4 million unveiled today to address significant backlogs in dermatology.
Health Secretary Neil Gray said reducing waiting times remains one of the First Minister’s top priorities and stressed that the new funding would target areas where the longest waits are being experienced.
The breakdown of appointments and procedures to be delivered through the programme is significant: 195,000 additional imaging scans, 31,000 inpatient or day‑case procedures, 88,000 new outpatient appointments and 4,100 new dermatology outpatient appointments.
This is expected to exceed the Scottish Government’s existing Programme for Government pledge by more than 60,000 appointments, marking a major step forward in efforts to cut delays across the health system.
Mr Gray praised NHS teams for their continued efforts, saying the extra investment would allow them to do even more to support patients.
“Reducing long waits in the NHS is one of the biggest priorities for the First Minister and the Scottish Government,” he said.
“Our record investment in the NHS this year is allowing us to target specific areas that are experiencing long waits, reducing backlogs and getting people the appointments and treatments they need as quickly as possible.”
He added that the new dermatology funding would be especially welcome:
“We know this is an area with significant backlogs, so by investing in increased capacity we hope to be able to reduce waiting times for this speciality.”
The funding will also support cancer services and provide vital backing for diagnostic reporting, pathology and pre‑assessment, ensuring patients not only receive appointments faster, but that the crucial work behind each diagnosis is also strengthened.
For patients who have faced long delays for scans, tests and treatment, this investment offers a measure of hope and a clear signal that action is being taken to restore timely care.
