‘Long reconstructive breast surgery wait only adds to the ordeal’

At FMQs last week, First Minister John Swinney had apologised to those who had “waited too long” for reconstructive breast surgery.

It came after Conservative North East Scotland MSP Tess White raised the issue of waiting times.

She highlighted the case of another woman who has waited for three years and still has not had her reconstruction.

Swinney pledged that Health Secretary Neil Gray would look into the issue.

NHS Grampian said in a statement: “We cannot comment on individual patient cases but would strongly encourage Ms Esslemont to contact us regarding any concerns.

“When a patient does make direct contact with us, we are more than willing to discuss their case with them – including their diagnosis, treatment and any further care they received.

“We absolutely acknowledge that a number of patients have waited vastly longer than we would have liked for their reconstructive surgery and the impact this has on their day-to-day lives. We’d like to take this opportunity to apologise publicly to each of them.”