Patients in the north-east are waiting almost three years to be seen by NHS Grampian’s dermatology department, with new data showing 90% of cases experiencing delays of 144 weeks.
The figures highlight one of the longest waits for non-urgent treatment in Scotland, where dermatology backlogs have escalated sharply over the past two years. According to Public Health Scotland, waits of more than 24 months for specialist care are becoming increasingly common across multiple health boards, despite government targets requiring treatment within 12 weeks.
Conditions such as psoriasis, eczema and acne are among those affected. While urgent referrals in NHS Grampian are prioritised, patients with serious concerns still face average waits of up to a year before being assessed.
An NHS Grampian spokesperson acknowledged the scale of the challenge:
“We recognise the waits for a dermatology assessment are too long. NHS Grampian has a small dermatology team relative to our population, but they are constantly looking at ways to reduce this waiting list.”
The board confirmed it is working with Healthcare Improvement Scotland and its internal transformation team on new initiatives aimed at cutting delays.
The long waits are drawing concern from medical experts about the wider social and psychological impacts of untreated skin conditions. Dr Cormac Convery, co-founder and medical director of the Ever Clinic, said appearance-related conditions often carry hidden consequences:
“Those affected may become fearful of interaction with others and develop avoidance-coping mechanisms. While this is dispiriting for everyone affected, it is particularly hard on teenagers – for whom appearance is so crucially important – with issues such as acne.”
A recent study published in the British Journal of Dermatology found acne rates among UK adolescents rose by 7.4% between 1990 and 2021, with the UK now ranked eighth globally for adolescent acne prevalence. Researchers estimate that up to 95% of young people experience acne, many of whom manage it without formal medical support.
For NHS boards, dermatology services have been among the hardest hit by recruitment shortages. The Royal College of Physicians previously warned that Scotland has fewer dermatologists per head of population compared to much of Western Europe, leaving boards with little resilience when demand increases.
NHS Grampian stressed that pathways for patients with severe acne remain in place, but admitted that initial appointments can take significant time to arrange:
“We know the impact severe acne can have on the wellbeing of our patients, and we have a dedicated pathway to support safe and effective treatment. However we also know that there can be a long wait for a first appointment and we are continuing to try and address this.”
The Scottish Government has said tackling waiting times remains a key priority, with funding allocated to expand specialist training and support alternative service models. But with current waits stretching into years, many patients in the north-east face continued uncertainty before accessing care.
