Scottish Labour reveals over 69,000 patients waited over an hour for assessment in A&E, highlighting urgent need for triage improvements.
The SNP Government has been urged to 'end the anxious wait' for emergency care after at least 69,000 Scots waited more than an hour to be assessed in A&E . Figures uncovered by Scottish Labour found more than 20,000 Scots were left in the lurch in NHS Lothian hospitals between January and June this year and nearly 17,900 in NHS Greater Glasgow. Triage is the key stage where NHS staff assess the urgency of a patient’s case so that those with serious conditions can be quickly seen.
Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labour’s Health spokeswoman, said: 'For patients with painful or deteriorating conditions, every minute left anxiously waiting can feel like hours. 'This SNP Government must reduce triage times so those with serious conditions can be seen quickly. “The UK Labour Budget has delivered a record settlement for Scotland including £789million of health-related funding this year and an additional £1.72billion for health and social care next year, but it’s up to this SNP government to spend it wisely. 'Scottish Labour will invest in frontline services to reduce NHS waiting times and ensure patients get the treatment they need.' Dr Fiona Hunter, Vice Chair of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine in Scotland, said: 'for people who are gravely ill or are in a life-threatening situation initial triage will, in most cases, have been started by paramedics before they get to the hospital, with the Emergency Department put on alert to await the patient's arrival for an immediate further assessment. 'For less urgent cases our guidance is that patients should be assessed within quarter of an hour. They will then be prioritised in order of clinical need. 'The figures obtained via this FOI are concerning. During an extended wait for assessment it is possible that people’s conditions may deteriorate; they can be left in pain or feeling unwell - and in some cases those who need medical attention can become frustrated and leave, potentially leading to more serious issues late
A&E Scotland NHS Waiting Times Triage
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