Hundreds forced to wait more than eight hours in A&E

Hundreds of patients had to wait for more than eight hours at accident and emergency departments in Scotland in October, official figures show.

Statistics published by ISD Scotland for the week ending October 20 show 86% of those attending A&E were seen within the four-hour target time before being either admitted, transferred or discharged.

A total of 535 patients were required to spend more than eight hours in an A&E department, while 163 patients had to spend more than 12 hours.

It falls short of the Scottish Government's standard of 95% of patients waiting no longer than four hours from arrival to admission, discharge or transfer for treatment.

Hairmyres Hospital in East Kilbride had 68.9% of patients falling within the four-hour target, with 91 patients having to wait for over eight hours.

At the flagship Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, a total of 35 patients were required to wait for more than eight hours at A&E, with 74.9% being attended to within the four-hour target.

Scottish Labour MSP Monica Lennon said the situation was down to the SNP's “chaotic mismanagement'' of the NHS.

She said: “Each passing week the SNP's waiting time target is missed but Jeane Freeman chooses to stay silent.

“The SNP have run out of excuses after 12 years in charge of the NHS in Scotland.

“Scottish Labour is on the side of patients and NHS staff who are warning they simply don't have the resources to cope.

“Jeane Freeman and Nicola Sturgeon must urgently set out a rescue plan for the NHS to ensure it can cope this winter."

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