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Hundreds of people wait too long in Scottish A&E departments

Patients are facing long waits for treatment in Scottish emergency departments as a key performance target continues to be missed.
By Lizzy Buchan
Published 30th Dec 2015, 10:21 BST
Labour public services spokeswoman, Jackie Baillie. Picture: Steven Scott Taylor/ JP Press LicenseLabour public services spokeswoman, Jackie Baillie. Picture: Steven Scott Taylor/ JP Press License
Labour public services spokeswoman, Jackie Baillie. Picture: Steven Scott Taylor/ JP Press License

Weekly A&E data revealed that 93.7 per cent of patients were seen within four hours up to 20 December, against a target of 95 per cent.

There were 1,535 people waiting beyond four hours, while more than 200 people exceeded the wait limit at both the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow and the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

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Glasgow’s so-called “super-hospital” recorded the worst figures with 88.4 per cent of patients seen in the targeted time.

Labour public services spokeswoman Jackie Baillie said the figures were “unacceptable” and called for more support for staff.

Health Secretary Shona Robison said: “It is encouraging, as we head into winter, that we are in a relatively stable position with performance at our core A&E departments being more than eight percentage points higher than the same week last year.

“This is down to our hardworking NHS employees who have worked tirelessly to drive down long waits.

“However, I know there is still more to be done to retain and build on this performance, and support areas experiencing additional demands over winter so that patients receive the care they deserve.”