An increase in patients paying for private operations alongside growing NHS waiting lists shows the healthcare system is becoming “two-tier”, Scottish Labour have said.

Compared to before the pandemic, waiting lists were almost 40% higher during the three months to September 30.

Labour highlighted research from the Private Healthcare Information Network, which said a total of 3400 patients paid for private procedures between April and June 2021, compared to only 2300 over the same period in 2019.

The party accused the SNP of allowing a system to develop where only those with the means to pay could receive speedy care.

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