Public Health Scotland has announced impressive performance figures showing 276,118 operations were performed across Scotland in the 12 months to January 2026, representing a significant increase in surgical activity and demonstrating the NHS’s commitment to reducing waiting lists.
Performance Statistics
The figures show an average of 756 operations carried out per day, representing a 6.1% increase compared to the same period the previous year. This improvement reflects ongoing efforts to tackle backlogs and improve patient care across all surgical specialties.
Radiology Service Expansion
A particularly notable achievement has been the introduction of a seven-day radiology service, utilising mobile scanning units and additional recruitment. This expansion means that 95% of radiology referrals will be seen within six weeks by March 2026, significantly reducing waiting times for MRI, CT, ultrasound and endoscopy procedures.
Workforce Commitment
These improvements are underpinned by increased staffing and investment in new equipment. The expansion of services demonstrates NHS Scotland’s determination to provide timely, high-quality care to patients across the nation.
Health statistics from Public Health Scotland