By Lucy Ashton
Jackie Baillie has warned the A&E crisis isn’t over yet, as latest figures show performance locally is sitting below the national average.
The latest weekly figures show more than 1 in 4 people were left waiting more than four hours in A&E units across Scotland.
At the Royal Alexandra Hospital, where people from West Dunbartonshire, Helensburgh and Lomond go, seven people had to wait more than 12 hours to be seen at A&E.
Some 276 patients of the 1008 who presented had to wait for more than four hours for medical attention.
Dumbarton constituency MSP Jackie Baillie, right, said: “This is a stark reminder that the crisis engulfing our A&E is far from over.
“Despite the very best efforts of the hardworking NHS staff, people in my constituency are having to wait hours on end to be seen.
“People being stranded for over 12 hours when seeking urgent help is downright dangerous, and it is a damning indictment of the SNP’s response to this crisis.
“If the SNP are going to ease the pressure on our emergency rooms, they need to free up capacity by tackling delayed discharge – but this has soared to its highest point since the pandemic began.
“We cannot let chaos become the new normal in our NHS. The SNP must make sure health and social care services across Scotland can cope, or lives will be lost.”
Meanwhile, with pressures on A&E services continuing, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is urging the public not to attend A&E without a very urgent or life-threatening condition and to use more appropriate services instead.
The ‘Right Care Right Place’ model means patients who would normally attend A&E for an urgent but non-life-threatening condition should now instead call NHS24 on 111 for a telephone assessment and referral to the most appropriate service suited to their needs.
Patients are also reminded to continue using their local GPs and community pharmacies for advice.
NHSGGC has developed a special Flow Navigation Centre which offers patients rapid access to senior clinical decision-makers, where appropriate, through NHS24, who can provide consultations and have the ability to advise self-care or signpost patients to the most appropriate available local services. This could include mental health hubs, Minor Injury Units, Primary Care (in and out of hours), A&E, as well as existing COVID-19 pathways.
For life-threatening emergencies, patients should still dial 999 or go directly to A&E.
The care pathway means people are directed to the most appropriate type of care they require as soon as they engage with the health service, while also minimising the number of people unnecessarily presenting at hospital.
Dr Scott Davidson, Deputy Medical Director for Acute Services at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said:
“A&Es across the health board remain very busy, so unless your condition is very urgent or life-threatening, patients should contact NHS24 on 111 or their GP practice before presenting to A&E. This will ensure they are directed to the most appropriate urgent service for their needs and A&Es are safeguarded those who need them.
“Instead of presenting to very busy A&E services, calling 111 or phoning your local GP should be the first port of call for anyone with an urgent, but non-life threatening condition. That way, you are far more likely to receive the right type of care, faster, by going through these routes, than by presenting to A&E services.”
Across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde there are three standalone Minor Injuries Units (MIUs) – at the Vale of Leven Hospital, Stobhill Hospital and the New Victoria ACH. MIUs operate in a similar manner to A&Es and can take care of a vast range of injuries. Patients who attend MIUs following a call to NHS24 are far more likely to be seen, treated and discharged quicker than if they present to an A&E. They will also be helping to protect vital frontline A&E services for those people whose lives are at risk.
More information on MIUs, what they can treat and how to access one can be found on the NHSGGC website: https://www.nhsggc.org.uk/your-health/know-who-to-turn-to/minor-injury-units/archive/minor-injuries-adults/
Patients should also continue to use the NHS Inform website for online health advice. More information on the Redesign of Urgent Care Programme is available online.
Anyone with symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 should not attend an ED and must adhere to public health advice. They should contact the NHS to arrange to be tested – either online at NHSInform.scot, or by calling 0800 028 2816.
- During week ending 6 February 2022: There were 1008 attendances at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley; 72.6 percent of attendances were seen and resulted in a subsequent admission, transfer or discharge within four hours. The Scottish average was 74.4 percent, and 45 patients spent more than 8 hours in Paisley’s A&E department.