NHS Debate At Holyrood As Ninewells Accused Over Waiting Times

An NHS whistleblower claims A&E targets are being met because surgeons are being denied access to patients.

A whistleblower is claiming that Ninewells Hospital in Dundee gets good results for A&E waiting times because it stops surgeons assessing patients in the emergency ward.

The doctor alleges lives are being put at risk, because patients aren't seen by surgeons until they're transferred to that department.

NHS Tayside says patient safety is its overriding priority.

Today MSPs are debating the NHS at Holyrood - after Scotland's three Royal Colleges said the targets culture meant a lack of joined-up thinking.

Rachel Cackett is from RCN Scotland:

Dr Alan Cook, NHS Tayside Medical Director for the Operational Unit, said, “First and foremost our Emergency Department at Ninewells operates a safe and clinically appropriate model delivering care to all of our patients. It is a different model to many Emergency Departments across the country and one which we believe enhances the patient journey and is driven by patient safety.

“We must make it clear that this clinical model has been in place since 1998 which significantly pre-dates any waiting times targets for Accident & Emergency that were introduced in 2004. Therefore, there is absolutely no truth in the claim that surgical teams are prevented from assessing patients in the Emergency Department to have a positive effect on waiting times.

“We would also like to reassure our patients about what happens to them when they present at our Emergency Department. Anyone who comes to the ED is reviewed by a senior clinician. This senior decision-maker is, in the vast majority of cases, an Accident & Emergency consultant who is the best person to make decisions about the patient in the first instance.

'No-one banned from A&E'

“The priority of staff in the ED is to ensure patients are assessed, have any tests required then get the most specialist care in the best environment. In surgical cases, this would mean patients are transferred to the specialist Acute Surgical Receiving Unit or on to the appropriate surgical ward where they can see a surgeon and other members of the surgical team and have more specialist investigations as quickly as possible. Patients and their families would expect to be seen by the most appropriate specialist and this model of care ensures this happens without delay.

“No consultants or surgeons are banned from the Emergency Department as has been claimed and senior clinicians from all specialities are encouraged to attend the ED if this would benefit the immediate management of patients.

“NHS Tayside will never tolerate bullying and we work with all of our staff, including senior doctors and those in training, to improve interactions between clinical departments. We are also introducing a detailed induction for doctors in training who interact with the Emergency Department at Ninewells for the first time so that they understand the model of care there.”