Warning A&E departments face ‘catastrophic winter’ as waiting times worsen
Scotland’s accident and emergency departments face a “catastrophic winter”, the Scottish Conservatives have warned as the latest figures showed an increase in waiting times.
Public Health Scotland figures showed the percentage of people waiting more than the four-hour target time had increased.
Scottish Conservative health secretary spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane said “all the signs point to a catastrophic winter occurring in A&E departments”.
The latest figures show 17,849 (65.7%) of those attending accident and emergency were seen and then admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours in the week ending September 8.
This is down on the previous week when 18,013 (66.8%) of attendees were seen within the four-hour target time and remains far below the 95% Scottish Government target.
A total of 3,054 (11.2%) patients spent more than eight hours in A&E compared to 2,846 (10.6%) the previous week.
The percentage of patients waiting more than 12 hours also rose, from 1,142 (4.2%) the previous week to 1,221 (4.5%).
The Tory MSP said: “A&E waiting times have worsened yet again on his watch, yet he has no plan to fix this for suffering patients and dedicated staff.
“This crisis has only escalated over the summer, and all the signs point to a catastrophic winter occurring in A&E departments under the SNP.
“Neil Gray needs to stop being in denial and urgently outline a plan to reduce A&E waiting times.
“He should start by adopting our bold plans that would deliver a modern, efficient and local health service which prioritises cutting waiting times across our NHS.”
Scottish Labour’s health spokesperson, Jackie Baillie, echoed his concerns.
She said: “These delays are the canary in the coalmine for what the NHS faces this winter.
“The SNP Government must act now to reverse this worrying trend, reduce pressures on A&E and stop corridor care becoming the new norm.
“A Scottish Labour government will ensure that patients who come to the NHS for help can get the treatment they need.”
Mr Gray said: “Although we have the best performing core A&E departments in the UK, we know that performance is below the level we all wish to see.
“We are working closely with health boards to ensure sustained improvements and reduce long waits. Services are facing sustained pressure and this is not unique to Scotland – with similar challenges being felt right across the UK.
“This year’s Scottish budget provides more than £19.5 billion for health and social care and an extra £500 million for frontline boards.”