The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
NHS Fife missing targets
SEVEN PATIENTS waited more than 12 hours to be treated in Fife’s sole accident and emergency unit in just one week, new figures have revealed.
The first tranche of weekly statistics on Scotland’s A&E performance was released by the Scottish Government yesterday but it again made grim reading for those reporting for urgent medical attention in Fife.
Around 88% of patients were seen within four hours, despite a target of 95%, with 22 people waiting more than eight hours and seven people more than 12 hours for the week ending February 22.
In contrast, NHS Tayside saw 98.8% of people within four hours, with just one person waiting more than eight hours.
Nationwide, 87.1% of patients were seen over the month and subsequently admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours.
Health Secretary Shona Robison said: “Today’sA&E waiting time figures are on a par with those in NHS England, and far exceed those in NHS Wales and Northern Ireland.
“However, they do not meet the demanding, world-leading targets we have set and the standards that patients should rightly expect.”
She praised NHS Tayside staff for doing a “fantastic job”, highlighting improvements in Angus and Perth and Kinross in reducing the number of people who are delayed from leaving hospital for longerthantherecommended72-hourperiod.
Under the Conservative suggestions, people sent to A&E because they are drunk should be taken to a new network of Recovery Centres which the party said would ease departments.
In the cases of those regularly admitted, staff and alcohol support organisations would be invited to participate and offer proactive support programmes for those needing help.
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Scottish Labour’s health spokeswoman Jenny Marra said: “Today’s figures show that A&E is in crisis under the SNP.”
Liberal Democrat health spokesman Jim Hume said: “These figures show SNP ministers have taken their eye off the ball.”