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Over 20,000 Scots died while on an NHS waiting list during Neil Gray’s first 19 months as Health Secretary, according to data obtained by the Scottish Conservatives.

Freedom of Information requests to NHS health boards reveal that up to 20,448 patients died while on an NHS waiting list between 8 February 2024 and 8 September 2025.

This included people waiting for cancer treatment, cardiac surgery, and trauma and orthopaedic surgery.

That means, on average, 35 patients have died every day during Neil Gray’s tenure.

Shadow health secretary Sandesh Gulhane MSP condemned the figures which highlight Neil Gray’s “abject failure” in the post.

Scottish Conservative shadow health secretary Sandesh Gulhane MSP said: “These shameful figures lay bare the extent of Neil Gray’s abject failure as health secretary.

“On his watch, waiting lists have spiralled out of control – and these delays have led to a tragic toll of avoidable deaths.

“My thoughts are with those families who are grieving needlessly lost loved ones this Christmas.

“Frontline NHS staff are working tirelessly for patients, but they are completely overwhelmed due to the SNP’s dire workforce planning and Humza Yousaf’s flimsy recovery plan.

“Instead of coming up with a credible plan to get our NHS through winter, Neil Gray has spent time on unworkable gimmicks like walk-in GP clinics that experts say cannot be staffed.

“He must apologise and take urgent action to cut Scotland’s intolerable waiting lists before more patients die preventable deaths.”

Notes to editors

Up to 20,448 patients died while on an NHS waiting list during Neil Gray’s first 19 months as health secretary. Each NHS health board was asked how many patients had died on a waiting list between 8 February 2024 and 8 September 2025, with the final total adding up to 20,448 people. (NHS Health Board FOIs, November 2025, available upon request)

This means 35 patients have died every day on Neil Gray’s watch. In the 578 days between 8 February 2024 and 8 September 2025, 35 patients have died every day on a waiting list, more than one every hour. (NHS health board FOIs, November 2025, available upon request)

Deaths included those waiting for cancer treatment, cardiac surgery, and trauma and orthopaedic surgery. Not all health boards provided this in detail but, where they did, waiting lists included cancer treatment, cardiac surgery, and trauma and orthopaedic surgery among others. (NHS health board FOIs, November 2025, available upon request)