Scotland’s health service performed more operations last month than at any point in the past five years, new figures from Public Health Scotland have revealed.
A total of 23,470 operations were carried out in July 2025, an 8.9% rise on the same month last year, and the highest figure recorded since February 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic brought elective procedures to a halt.
Over the past year, the NHS in Scotland has delivered 265,060 operations, up 1.8% compared to the previous 12 months.
Health Secretary Neil Gray welcomed the milestone, calling it “a five-year high worth marking”.
He added that despite continuing strain on services, “it’s encouraging to see a year-on-year increase in planned procedures since 2021”.
The recovery in surgical activity has been supported by targeted investment aimed at reducing NHS waiting times, with more than 213,000 additional appointments and procedures expected this year alone.
Mr Gray said the Scottish Government was focused on sustaining this upward trend.
“We want to build on this success and drive that improvement across Scotland,” he said.
“Our record £110 million investment this year is allowing us to tackle the longest waits for procedures and operations, reduce backlogs, and get people the appointments and treatments they need as quickly as possible.”
While the figures signal a return to pre-pandemic levels of surgical activity, the challenge of reducing waiting times remains a central concern across the country.
The government’s strategy focuses on areas with the most severe delays, alongside ongoing efforts to modernise systems and expand capacity.
The latest data has been cautiously welcomed by health leaders and patient groups, though many continue to call for urgent action to address inequalities in access and to shore up staffing levels.
For now, the return to five-year highs offers a glimmer of optimism and a reminder that, even amid ongoing pressures, progress is possible.
