South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has branded Humza Yousaf’s time as Health Secretary “catastrophic” as new figures reveal NHS waiting lists in Dumfries and Galloway soaring on his watch.

At the end of March, as Humza Yousaf departed as Health Secretary, there were 18,923 people on an NHS waiting list in our region.

This is a shocking 53 per cent increase since the same point in 2021, shortly after Humza Yousaf took over the role.

Across Scotland waiting lists are at a record high, with around 1 in every 7 Scots currently on an NHS waiting list.

Scottish Labour branded this a “national emergency” and called for the Scottish Government to support NHS Dumfries and Galloway and implement a real NHS catch-up plan.

Colin Smyth said: “People in Dumfries and Galloway have been badly let down by the Scottish Government and their incompetent running of our NHS.

“Despite the tireless efforts of NHS staff, record numbers are stuck languishing on NHS waiting list, including 18,923 in our region.

“The SNP government need to better support our amazing NHS and deliver a real catch-up plan to help it recover from the damage inflicted by both the pandemic and by this disastrous government.”