Johnstone urges extra effort to reduce wait times

Tuesday August 4th 2015

Alison Johnstone MSP, the Scottish Greens’ health spokesperson, is urging extra effort by Scottish ministers and health boards to make sure patients get the care they need as quickly as possible.

Monthly figures for June published today (4 August) show 94.3 per cent of A&E patients were seen within 4 hours, a figure almost unchanged from 94 per cent a year ago. The Scottish Government’s interim target is 95 per cent, but health boards are expected to achieve 98 per cent.

In June almost 600 people waited more than 8 hours to be seen, with over 80 people waiting more than 12 hours. Similar figures were recorded a year ago.

Alison Johnstone, Scottish Green MSP for Lothian, said:

“It remains a concern that in the space of a year A&E waiting times have hardly budged. And it’s particularly concerning to see hundreds of people still waiting more than eight hours.

“With staff shortages elsewhere in the NHS, problems in GP practices and gaps in social care packages, it’s understandable that our emergency departments continue to be under pressure. The Scottish Government and health boards have started to invest but the pace needs to pick up.

“We need to see more effort to improve connections in the NHS. After treatment in A&E there must be beds available for people who still need care. We could take the pressure off A&E with GP primary care available next door to take patients who need immediate care but not emergency medicine.”

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