By Lucy Ashton
Scottish Labour has warned A&E waiting times are “hurtling in the wrong direction” after the proportion of patients waiting more than eight hours in A&E soared.
The number of Scots waiting more than eight hours to be treated rose by 20 percent in the week ending 11 August, while those waiting more than twelve hours to be treated rose by 33 percent.
Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labour’s Health spokesperson, said: “Scots going to A&E in their hour of need are already spending hours waiting to be seen, but these worrying figures show that waiting times are hurtling even further in the wrong direction. “The SNP has presided over an age of languishing in corridors – it must get a grip and boost our frontline services before winter heaps on even more pressure.
“A Scottish Labour government will prioritise frontline services – patients and NHS staff deserve nothing less.”
During week ending 11 August 2024
Attendances
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There were 24,968 unplanned attendances at EDs in NHSScotland (compared to 25,817 the previous week, and 25,186 weekly average for 2023).
Attendances of under 4 hours
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16,272 (65.2%) of ED attendances were seen and resulted in a subsequent admission, transfer or discharge within 4 hours (compared to 17,502 (67.8%) the previous week, and 16,607 (65.9%) weekly average for 2023).
Attendances of over 8 hours
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3,018 (12.1%) patients spent more than 8 hours in an Emergency Department (compared to 2,516 (9.7%) the previous week, and 2,768 (11%) weekly average for 2023).
Attendances of over 12 hours
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1,251 (5%) patients spent more than 12 hours in an Emergency Department (compared to 942 (3.6%) the previous week, and 1,112 (4.4%) weekly average for 2023).
* Please note that due to a local IT issue the figures on those waiting over 4, 8 and 12 hours in NHS Lothian are higher than they should be for the week ending 11 August 2024. This will also have an impact on the overall NHS Scotland figures.
I thought when we left the EU there was going to be a big yellow bus coming across the channel with millions of pounds every week.
Where oh where has our golden Brexit bonanza gone.
Waiting times up – surely not in our post Brexit Nirvana.