Hospital inquiry on waiting times

CONCERNS that long A&E waiting times have been under-reported at a controversial hospital will be investigated by the Health Secretary.

Shona Robison has ordered the independent review into ‘A&E waiting times practices’ at St John’s Hospital, Livingston. The problem was raised by a whistleblower, who contacted her last month.

Results of an internal investigation by NHS Lothian, which was carried out immediately, were found to be ‘a cause for concern’.

Official figures show St John’s A&E department is meeting its four-hour waiting time targets. But the concerns suggested staff felt pressured to achieve the standard and the number of patients waiting more than four hours had been understated in performance reports.

‘Busy’ staff were found to have been using their own guidelines on how to record patients who breach the time limit which ‘do not comply with national guidance’, NHS Lothian said. This means some patients who may have been recorded as breaching the waiting time performance target were not included in departmental performance reports.

Miss Robison has asked the Scottish Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, chaired by Professor Derek Bell, to investigate and report back early next year.

She said: ‘These are serious allegations and the early findings are clearly a cause for concern. We are working very closely with the board to ensure that lessons are learned from the investigation.’

St John’s is already under pressure, with staff shortages in its children’s ward forcing it to close to inpatients.

Last night, critics said staff should not be blamed for trying to hit Scottish Government targets they have ‘no hope of meeting’.

Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesman Alex Cole-Hamilton said: ‘First and foremost, blame should not lie with staff who are working round the clock to deliver exemplary care to patients in crisis.

‘This is symptomatic of an NHS buckling under the strain.’