A&E Target Time Missed

A target to treat 95% of A&E patients within four hours has failed to be met, that's according to figures.

The latest weekly statistics, up to 8th March, show that 90.1% of Scots were seen within that time frame. That figure rests at 88.8% in Fife.

NHS staff saw 24, 715 people pass through hospital doors during the one week period.

Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Jim Hume MSP has said the SNP Government must better support Scotland's NHS if A&E targets are to be met.

Mr Hume said: "The steady improvement against A+E waiting times in Scotland's hospitals show why this weekly reporting is important but it remains that the interim A+E waiting time target is still not being achieved. Too often the SNP government relies on the good will of NHS staff, who have had to carry the service whilst the SNP has taken its eye off the ball. Scottish Liberal Democrats continue to call on the SNP Government to properly fund the NHS. This is what's needed to build a fairer society."

Health Secretary Shona Robison said: "Scotland's core A&E sites are seeing, treating and either discharging or admitting nine out of 10 people within four hours. This improving performance is an encouraging sign that, backed up by Government support, health boards are recovering from a challenging winter. There have also been substantial reductions in long waits in the last week

"That is thanks to staff in Scotland’s NHS, who are doing a fantastic job to treat people as quickly as possible.

“Despite this progress, however, there are still considerable improvements to be made to benefit patients. We are continuing to see the effects of the winter, which has brought an increase in attendances and admissions, as well as more severe flu related illnesses and people with complex illnesses.

“The key point for boards is now to sustain the improved position and focus on moving towards meeting our world leading, stringent targets.

“It is also encouraging that health boards such as NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, NHS Lanarkshire and NHS Ayrshire & Arran, which have been experiencing challenges, are continuing to improve, with all three boards seeing more people within four hours during the week ending March 8.

“Of course, more still needs to be done. Earlier this month we confirmed our continued support to areas experiencing challenges. This included committing £5 million from the £31.5 million Performance Fund to support improvement across NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde to relieve pressure at the front door of the hospital.

“We also expanded the role of the A&E performance support team, put into the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley in January, to support the Western Infirmary by building on lessons learned in Paisley and sharing good practice across all NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde sites."