Socioeconomic inequality, waiting time initiatives and austerity in Scotland: an interrupted time series analysis of elective hip and knee replacements and arthroscopies.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

National Health Service (NHS) waiting times have long been a political priority in Scotland. In 2002, the Scottish government launched a programme of investment and reform to reduce waiting times. The effect on waiting time inequality is unknown as is the impact of subsequent austerity measures.

Design

An interrupted time series analysis between the most and least socioeconomically deprived population quintiles since the introduction of waiting time initiative 1 July 2002 and austerity measures 1 April 2010.

Setting

All NHS-funded elective primary hip replacement, primary knee replacement and arthroscopy patient data in Scotland from 1 April 1997 to 31 March 2019.

Participants

NHS Scotland funded patients treated in Scotland.

Main outcome measures

SUBMITTER: Kirkwood G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9720289 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature