Flu’s sorry now
First Minister insists health service is coping despite delays due to epidemic
NICOLA Sturgeon and Health Secretary Shona Robison have apologised to patients forced to wait for treatment due to the winter strain on the NHS.
The First Minister said the health service was coping despite “exceptional pressures”.
And Robison defended the Scottish Government’s flu vaccination programme after ministers were accused of failing to act on warnings.
Latest figures show the number of people suffering from flu in Scotland has more than doubled compared with the same time last year. Sturgeon said: “I would apologise unreservedly not just during the winter but at any time of the year to any patient who is not seen as quickly as we would want them to be seen in the NHS or who doesn’t get the treatment that they have a right to expect.
“We have seen exceptional pressures this winter, largely due to the increase in flu cases but also, particularly in the period immediately before Christmas, weatherrelated pressures.
“But the hard work, the incredible hard work and teamwork of the staff of the NHS means that our NHS is coping in very, very difficult circumstances.”
Robison, who was visiting Perth Royal Infirmary’s A&E department, added: “Any patient waiting longer than they should to be seen and treated within the NHS, I would apologise for that.
“But I think the public understand that we are in exceptional circumstances here and I have had lots of messages from the public saying staff, in the face of huge pressures and challenges, have done a tremendous job.”
Provisional figures suggest flu vaccine uptake is similar to last winter’s.
Tories have argued ministers should have done more to boost uptake.
But Robsion said: “There was a really robust, big campaign to promote vaccination, in the same way as we have done in previous years, not just for the public but health and social care staff as well.
“We can’t force people to get the vaccination, all we can do is promote and encourage and we used every communication channel possible to get that message across.”
The Health Secretary said she expected winter pressures to have affected A&E waiting-time figures for the period between Christmas and New Year, which are published today.
Robison added: “The figures will remain very challenging and people are working very, very hard to keep patients safe.”