NHS must do better on waiting times

Key treatment targets missed

Failing NHS Ayrshire and Ar ran has again missed key t reatment time targets.

Latest performances of four waiting- time measures show A& E treatment, cancer care, planned operations such as knee and hip replcements and access to psychological treatment such as counselling is down against a target of 95 per cent and 90 per cent.

In September this year, the health board reached 92 per cent against 90.2 per cent for the whole of Scotland, for patients treated or admitted within four hours of arrival at A& E, however, data shows that it did hit target in July this year.

But there has been a significant decline in cancer treatment within 62 days of urgent referral as it only reached 88.6 per cent - the last time NHS Ayrshire & Arran did hit their target was in 2015.

B o t h p l a n n e d operations and care within 18 weeks of referral and patients starting mental health therapy within 18 weeks of referral reached around 82 per cent.

These targets have not been reached since 2014 and 2013.

John Burns, Chief Executive of NHS Ayrshire and Arran, said: “We will continue to provide our services to those who need them based on their clinical Need and prioritise those in urgent need of care.

“We would apologise to anyone who has been kept waiting longer than the standard for their care. However, we will continue to work tirelessly to provide care within the waiting times standards.” A Scottish Government spokesperson added: “We are working with the NHS Ayrshire and Arran to support sustainable improvements with a focus on a number of specialities including cancer, orthopaedics, dermatology, general surgery and diagnostics.

“Our waiting times improvement plan launched last month and backed by more than £ 850 million over three years will deliver the standards patients expect and will help increase capacity, increase clinical effectiveness and efficiency, and implement new models of care.”