Hospital waiting times a misery
Wishaw General’s target not hit for two months
Wishaw General Hospital have failed to hit their government- targeted accident and emergency waiting times for the past two months, new figures show.
The latest findings come despite NHS Lanarkshire hitting their overall target with 95.3 per cent and Monklands Hospital hitting the government set target of 95 per cent.
Wishaw General have failed to hit the goal of treating patients within four hours since the week ending April 24 – with 535 patients waiting over four hours since then.
Thirty- eight patients spent more than eight hours in A&E while 10 waited over more than 12 hours – including seven in one week, ending May 15.
The under-pressure hospital has only hit their weekly target twice in 2016.
Conservative MSP Graham Simpson believes the SNP should be doing more to help hard-working staff and health boards across the country hit their targets.
Mr Simpson said: “These are very worrying statistics which are reflected right across the country.
“The Scottish Government has to do more to help health boards like NHS Lanarkshire meet these targets.
“There is no point setting down standards then not providing enough resources to hit them.
“Patients are the ones who lose out and receive a far poorer service than they deserve.
“This is not a new issue and it’s one the SNP should have got to grips with long ago.”
Airdrie & Shotts MP Neil Gray praised NHS Lanarkshire for hitting their targets.
He said: “There is always room for improvement and I know from discussions with NHS Lanarkshire’s Chief Executive, Calum Campbell, that plans are afoot to get the next set of figures even better.”
Gillian Corbett, chief of nursing services at Wishaw General Hospital, said: “Unscheduled care performance can vary depending on the number of people who present and the severity of their conditions.
“All staff are working together to ensure patients receive the appropriate treatment and will continue to work together to reduce waiting times and provide a positive experience for our patients.
“The public can help us a great deal by ensuring they go to the most appropriate healthcare professional.
“There is a wide range of services available in the community that can provide treatment for many illnesses and injuries without the need to visit the emergency department.”
Scottish Government has to do more to help health boards meet targets