Scotland's A&E performance in a 'serious slump' say Lib Dems
250 extra people per week have had to wait more than eight hours in A&E
Last updated 22nd Dec 2019
There has been a "serious and sustained slump'' in A&E performance in Scotland in the last six months, according to the Liberal Democrats.
Analysis by the party suggests average weekly performance fell by 3.5% in the second half of this year when compared with the second half of 2018.
Figures produced by the party also indicate almost 250 extra people per week have had to wait more than eight hours in A&E in the latter part of 2019.
On average, the party says each week 84 more people had to wait for more than 12 hours in A&E.
Scottish Liberal Democrat Alex Cole-Hamilton said the figure show that waiting times have been "markedly worse'' than last year.
"The First Minister makes a song and dance about Scotland's NHS performing better but what she neglects to mention is that performance has tanked on her watch,'' he said.
"This new analysis proves there has been a serious and sustained slump in A&E performance in the last six months.
"Waiting times have been markedly worse than last year and the impact is that 250 extra patients a week are waiting painfully long to be seen.
"This is yet more evidence that the Scottish Government's Waiting Times Improvement Plan, published 14 months ago, has utterly failed to have the desired effect.''
He added: "NHS staff are working around the clock but they aren't getting anywhere close to the support and resources they need.
"The new workforce plan published this week - more than a year late - must be more successful.
"Liberal Democrats also urgently want to see new mental health practitioners introduced in every A&E, available 24/7, to alleviate the pressure on existing staff and get people the treatment they need quickly.''