Sturgeon and Robison apologise to patients for NHS winter delays

● First Minister says ‘exceptional pressures’ are hitting healthcare

The First Minister and health secretary have both apologised to patients who have faced delays for treatment as a result of winter strain on the health service.

Nicola Sturgeon said NHS Scotland was dealing with “exceptional” pressures but was coping despite difficult circumstances.

And Shona Robison defended the Scottish Government’s flu vaccination programme after ministers were accused of failing to act on warnings.

Latest figures show the number of people suffering from flu in Scotland has more than doubled on the same time last year, with about half of NHS boards reporting significant ward pressure as a result.

Ms Sturgeon said in a radio interview yesterday: “I would apologise unreservedly not just during the winter but at any time of the year to any patient who is not seen as quickly as we would want them to be seen in the NHS or who doesn’t get the treatment that they have a right to expect.

“We have seen exceptional pressures this winter largely due to the increase in flu cases but also, particularly in the period immediately before Christmas, weather-related pressures.”

Ms Robison, speaking during a visit to Perth Royal Infir- Above, Shona Robison talks to staff on a visit to Perth Royal Infirmary. Right, Nicola Sturgeon listens to a call on a visit to the Scottish Ambulance Service and NHS 24 call centre in Glasgow mary’s A&E department, said: “Any patient waiting longer than they should to be seen and treated within the NHS, I would apologise for that, but I think the public understand that we are in exceptional circumstances here.”

Provisional figures suggest uptake of the flu vaccine is similar to last winter.

However, Ms Sturgeon said that early information suggests rates have increased slightly among NHS staff, against less than 50 per cent vaccinated last year.

The Scottish Conservatives have argued that ministers should have done more to boost uptake.

Conservative health spokesman Miles Briggs said Scotland was failing to meet the target of having half of all NHS workers vaccinated against the flu, while in England almost two-thirds (63 per cent) were vaccinated.

The Tory MSP said: “Last year, only 35 per cent of healthcare workers were vaccinated against flu – below the target and well below figures elsewhere in the UK. The impact of this is devastating – it means doctors and nurses unable to come into work and patients suffering further delays as a result.”

Labour health spokesman Anas Sarwar said an apology from the First Minister “just isn’t good enough for patients and NHS staff failed by the SNP government this winter”.

Liberal Democrat health spokesman Alex Cole-hamilton said: “To a patient stuck on a trolley waiting for treatment or an NHS staff member run off their feet, the First Minister’s comments are not nearly enough.”