Still facing long A&E wait times
Almost 100 patients sitting over four hours
Nearly 100 patients waited more than four hours to be seen in Wishaw General’s A&E department according to new figures.
Statistics revealed that Wishaw General again failed to reach the Scottish Government set target of 95 per cent with 92.5 per cent of patients seen within four hours.
A total of 96 patients waited more than four hours to be treated with three waiting more than eight hours.
Heather Knox, NHS Lanarkshire Director of Acute Services, said: “We have seen an overall improvement in our unscheduled care performance compared with last year. Our clinical and managerial staff will continue to work together to enhance our performance and to reduce waiting times for our patients.
“Pe r f o rmance can var y depending on the number of people who present and the severity of their condition. Our priority is always to ensure the safety of our patients and to provide effective care and treatment based on clinical priority.
“If it looks like a patient will experience a lengthy wait for a hospital bed, then care will be provided in beds in clinical areas with access to toilet facilities and full hospital care including meals where appropriate.”
Meanwhile, the health board have released a statement aiming to reassure worried patients and staff in relation to the alleged ‘downgrading’ of Monklands Hospital.
The board specifically stated the decision to focus operations and elective and trauma surgery in Wishaw and Hairmyres Hospital was not a downgrading.
Dr Jane Burns, divisional medical director for acute services, said: “The decision to consolidate all operations in Wishaw and Hairmyres and retain outpatient services at Monklands as based on the feasibility of accommodating the essential components of the service, particularly operating theatres.”
“The decision was not taken lightly. Neither was it based on the level of performance of any one team. There has been extensive engagement and discussion over the past years with staff and stakeholders.”