EAST Renfrewshire MSP Jackson Carlaw has urged the Scottish Government to tackle the growing waiting list for operations. 

Shock new figures for Scotland released last week showed only 11,047 operations were carried out in the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde area between April and September.

That compares to an average of 38,905 operations in the same six month period between 2016-19.

Mr Carlaw’s Eastwood constituency, which includes Neilston, Uplawmoor, Giffnock and Newton Mearns, is part of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

He says the government while handling the Covid-19 outbreak, mustn’t forget about patients desperate for vital operations.

Mr Carlaw, pictured, former leader of the Scottish Conservatives, added: “Waiting times for people in Eastwood to receive vital operations in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde cannot be allowed to spiral out of control, particularly as we enter winter

“The massive drop in the number of surgeries taking place between April and September compared with the same period in previous years is a significant and pressing concern. The government must ensure that the health board and frontline staff are given the urgent resources necessary to ensure procedures can take place wherever possible.”