Born in 1946 and brought up in Cupar, Fife, I was educated at the local school - 
The findings have been welcomed by Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin and Banffshire and Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson.
The latest elective surgery statistics were released by ISD Scotland and show the health board has performed 2,543 operations more than in the same time period last year and 2,210 more than in 2017.
ISD figures also highlighted how the lowest proportion of operations cancelled in almost four years.
Commenting, Gillian Martin MSP and Stewart Stevenson MSP, said:
“These results from ISD Scotland are extremely positive.
“We recognise there has been a number of innovative projects which have helped to create extra capacity as well as improving the experience of patients.
“This includes the ERAS (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) Scheme which has helped to create extra free beds at Woodend Hospital in Aberdeen.
“We would like to thank all the staff at NHS Grampian for their determination and diligence in the past year which has led to an increase.”
“We recognise there has been a number of innovative projects which have helped to create extra capacity as well as improving the experience of patients.
“This includes the ERAS (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) Scheme which has helped to create extra free beds at Woodend Hospital in Aberdeen.
“We would like to thank all the staff at NHS Grampian for their determination and diligence in the past year which has led to an increase.”
The health board undertook more than 3,120 elective procedures in May with 7.6% (257) of those scheduled in the region not taking place, including almost 100 cancelled by patients and 88 for clinical reasons.
NHS Grampian also performed ahead of the Scottish average of 1.7%, with 1.6% of scheduled elective procedures postponed for non-clinical reasons – the lowest figure for this measure for the region in three years.
