Tories claim NHS ‘in freefall’ as A&E records worst performance since January

The NHS is “in freefall”, the Scottish Tories have claimed as A&E waiting times for October were the worst since January.

Statistics released on Tuesday show 66.8% of attendances during October were seen within four hours, the lowest monthly figure since 66.3% at the end of last winter.

The figure was also down from the previous month, when 67.8% of people were seen in four hours.

The Scottish Government aims for 95% of people to be seen within the four-hour time frame.

Meanwhile, the proportion of people waiting more than 12 hours rose from 4.2% to 4.8% in October, and those waiting more than eight hours went up from 10.4% to 11.4%.

Weekly figures for A&E waiting times, however, show a slightly improving picture, with 64.7% of people seen within the four-hour period in the week to November 16, up from 61.4% the previous week but still well below the 95% target.

Eight-hour and 12-hour waits also dropped in that week, to 12.8% and 5.9% respectively.

Responding to the figures, Scottish Conservative health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane said: “These appalling statistics expose an NHS in freefall under the SNP.

“John Swinney has the brass neck to call the state of our NHS ‘impressive’ – yet this is the worst October on record for four-hour A&E waits.

“Month after month, tens of thousands of patients are left stranded in overcrowded emergency departments.

“With a mounting flu epidemic, the situation is likely to get worse over the winter months.

“The SNP’s incompetence is costing lives. Frontline staff are doing everything they can, but they’ve been left with one arm tied behind their back because of the SNP’s dire workforce planning and (former health secretary) Humza Yousaf’s flimsy recovery plan.”

Scottish Labour’s deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie said the NHS is in a “constant state of crisis” and is facing a “disastrous” winter.

“Every month thousands of Scots face dangerously long waits for urgent care despite the tireless efforts of NHS staff, but the SNP has no answers for either of them,” she said.

“With things already at crisis point in October, we are at risk of a disastrous winter if the SNP doesn’t act.

“We need a real plan to keep Scots safe this winter and ease the pressure on A&E, including by ramping up the rate of flu vaccinations.”

Health Secretary Neil Gray chose to focus on the weekly figures, saying: “Latest weekly A&E figures show the best four-hour performance for a November week since week ending November 13, 2022.

“This is welcome improvement, however we know performance will fluctuate throughout winter. We are ensuring all boards have the support in place to deal with increased winter demand.

“Our investment of £20 million will boost social care capacity and provide additional support at the front door of our emergency departments, which will relieve pressure and reduce admissions.

“A key part of our winter response is prevention and vaccination is one of the best ways to protect our own health and those around us – with flu cases rising I urge all those who are eligible to get vaccinated and help protect NHS capacity this winter.”