A&E is cracking under pressure at Hairmyres
NICOLA FINDLAY
A Labour MSP has warned an East Kilbride hospital is reaching breaking point.
Health spokesperson Monica Lennon said failure to meet waiting time targets “cannot be ignored”.
The News reported last week that Hairmyres Accident and Emergency unit continues to struggle.
It hasn’t met the Scottish Government target of 95 per cent of patients admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours since last March.
It comes as Hairmyres featured on an ITV news bulletin – where a senior doctor admitted patients are being “let down” as staff crack under the pressure.
The consultant also admitted that at peak times patients were regularly lined-up in corridors with paramedics waiting to hand over.
It also showed patients waiting for more than 12 hours due to a lack of beds in the hospital.
Figures for the week ending January 12 show that 74.4 per cent of patients when seen within four hours – a drop from 77.4 the previous week – when 37 patients waited over eight hours.
This is despite pleas from NHS Lanarkshire for patients to not attend A&E unless absolutely necessary this winter.
Figures for Scotland show 349 patients had to wait more than 12 hours – that’s double the number than the week before.
Ms Lennon said: “It was upsetting to watch the ITV News report on the extreme pressures on A&E staff in Hairmyres and people having to wait for more than 12 hours for a bed.
“Like everyone in the NHS workforce, A&E staff are working extremely hard but the job is getting tougher and these worrying waiting times cannot be ignored.”
She added: “NHS Lanarkshire has been pleading with people to visit the pharmacy, their GP or call NHS 24 but many people are turning to A&E because they simply can’t get a GP or out-ofhours appointment easily.
“These are the issues in people’s lives that need urgent attention from the Scottish Government. NHS staff need more support to give everyone the care they need.
SNP MSP Linda Fabiani said: “Staff in Hairmyres should be commended for doing a fantastic job under extremely difficult circumstances.
“I have had a few complaints recently about GP services in the town. People should only use A&E if there is an accident or an emergency, and calling NHS 24 or getting advice from a pharmacist will often save a visit to the hospital and free space for those who genuinely need the help.
“The SNP in Government continue to provide our NHS with increased funding – this year alone the health budget increased by £729 million, and in recent months a further £10m was announced to help health boards prepare for winter.” Heather Knox, NHS Lanarkshire director of acute services, said: “Lanarkshire’s A&E services are already among the busiest in Scotland and the three acute Lanarkshire hospitals continue to experience high demand in their emergency departments, affecting the number of patients admitted or discharged within the four-hour access standard.
“We are sorry that some patients have experienced a longer wait as a result. All our staff continue to work extremely hard to ensure that patients are seen and treated as quickly as possible and NHS Lanarkshire continues to provide alternative services so patients can receive care outwith hospitals wherever appropriate.
“I urge everyone to think carefully before attending our A&E services, as a quicker, alternative solution could be the most effective answer, saving time and resources.”