The average waiting time for a knee operation in Tayside has more than doubled in the space of two years, new figures have shown.

Official NHS statistics have revealed that people referred for elective knee replacement surgery waited an average of six weeks in 2015/16.

However, the figure for 2015/16 was 12 weeks, which then increased to 15 weeks in 2016/2017.

Some people are also spending as many as 49 weeks on the waiting list before being admitted.

An representative for NHS Tayside said: "We acknowledge that some people are waiting longer than we would like and understand that this can be distressing for patients and their families.

"Over the last few months, there have been capacity issues with the multidisciplinary team in terms of consultant and nursing staff which resulted in a reduction in our overall capacity.

"However, these staff posts have been now been formally appointed to and will commence in September this year.

"We anticipate that these staff appointments will have a favourable impact on our orthopaedic waiting times."