MSP wants rapid response to health probe

A LOTHIAN MSP has called for urgent answers after an investigation was launched into high hospital admission rates in the region.

The News revealed last week that NHS Lothian bosses are looking to find out why so many patients were being readmitted so soon after discharge.

Figures showed rates of medical and surgical patients being readmitted within seven and 28 days were soaring above the national average.

Labour’s Sarah Boyack said: “NHS Lothian’s hospital readmission rates are much higher than the rest of Scotland. We need answers urgently.”

Some experts believe high readmission rates indicate patients are being sent home from hospital before they are ready. However, the health board’s medical director, Dr David Farquharson, said he believed the issue was more complex.