Call for health secretary to issue apology over waiting times

The Scottish Government admitted performance is “falling short” in certain areas of A&E care as opposition parties rounded on failed waiting time targets.

The Lib Dems said 88.6% of patients in Scottish hospitals were seen within four hours at emergency departments over the summer period, citing figures compiled by ISD Scotland.

Scottish Labour noted the government’s own waiting time target had been breached nearly 100,000 times in the last year.

The benchmark is for 95% of A&E patients to be either admitted, transferred or discharged in four hours.

Scottish Labour’s shadow health Secretary Monica Lennon said: “This key waiting time target has not been met on a single occasion since she took office. It’s a monumental failure.

“Jeane Freeman should apologise to the thousands of people who have been forced to endure long waits to get the help they needed.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton said: “The government made a big song and dance of producing a waiting times plan but it doesn’t seem to be having an impact.”

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “The latest weekly figures show that almost nine out of 10 patients were seen and either admitted, discharged or transferred within the four hour A&E target.

“Scotland’s core A&E departments continue to be the best performing in the UK and have been for more than four years and this is thanks to the ongoing hard work and dedication of our NHS staff.

“Performance is falling short in certain areas and we continue to work proactively with health boards to ensure sustainable improvement in the face of continuing high attendances.”

Picture: Sandy McCook. Scottish Health Secretary Jeane Freeman admitted some performance areas were falling short.