Dumbarton's MSP has blasted the Scottish Government's “poor management” of the NHS as she highlights the case of an Alexandria woman who has endured an 18-month wait for life-changing surgery.

Mary Travis, 67, suffers severe pain as a result of bone and joint-related health issues which have left her spine so severely twisted that she is unable to wash or feed herself.

The option of a spinal operation, which would reduce Mrs Travis’ pain by 80 per cent, was first presented to her by consultant Niall Craig of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital a year and a half ago.

Since then, Mr Craig has written to advise Mary that the delay is due to the Scottish Government imposing an "emergency status" which has prevented him from resourcing the surgery.

Doctors have also noted concerns that the twist in her spine could eventually push against her spinal column, potentially resulting in brain damage.

Calling for action, Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie said: “The case of Mary Travis is truly heartbreaking. This woman is in severe pain and needs this operation urgently.

“She has already endured 18 months of agony and there is no end in sight for her and her family.

“Sadly there are countless others like Mrs Travis who are suffering under the SNP’s watch.

“The government wants to pretend the problems in the NHS have all been created by Covid - but that is not true.

"Scotland’s NHS was in crisis before Covid hit and that’s why we are struggling to recover.”

One in eight people in Scotland are currently on an NHS waiting list, with the number rising from 430,000 before the pandemic to 680,000.

Ms Baillie said she has been contacted by a number of constituents affected by this.

She added: “Our NHS is 1,000 beds short but this First Minister cut beds before the pandemic.

“We are 5,700 nurses and midwives short, but this First Minister cut training places before the pandemic.

“Staff and patients like Mrs Travis are crying out for help but no practical action is forthcoming.

“The result of 15 years of poor management by the government is burnt out staff wanting to leave, and patients failed and languishing on waiting lists.

“Make no mistake, this SNP government has put Scotland’s NHS at risk.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "The pandemic has seen our NHS under the most severe pressure in its 73-year existence.

"Pausing of non-urgent activity has taken place in health systems across the UK and has inevitably led to a build-up of numbers waiting for treatment, and the emergence of Omicron in late 2021 has undoubtedly added to existing significant pressure.

“We have to be upfront and honest that recovery will take time, we have to balance competing demands and pressures, making the best decisions we can, none of which are easy nor taken lightly.

“The NHS Scotland Recovery Plan sets out plans and ambitions for recovery, backed by more than £1 billion of funding.

"The plan will support an increase in inpatient, daycase and outpatient activity to address the backlogs of care. 

"Key actions include investment of more than £400m to create a network of National Treatment Centres across Scotland which will significantly increase capacity to deliver elective care.”

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde deferred to the Scottish Government when contacted for comment.