MSP Jackie Baillie has warned that lives are again being put at risk by ‘chao’s in Scotland’s A&E units.
She spoke out after Paisley’s Royal Alexandra Hospital notched up long waiting times which are amongst the worst in Scotland.
Just 47.6% of 591 patients who attended the RAH’s emergency department in the week ending March 31 were seen within the Scottish Government’s four-hour target.
It was the fourth worst figure in the country, but the department saw fewer patients than the three hospitals with worse performances – Forth Valley Royal, Monklands in Lanarkshire, and Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
The Scottish Government’s target calls for 95% of patients who attend A&E centres to be treated, admitted or transferred within four hours.
Ms Baillie said “A&E chaos is putting lives on the line week in week out, but things are getting worse instead of better.
“The Royal College of Emergency Medicine has warned that long waits will cost lives, but more than 3,400 Scots waited more than eight hours in a single week.
“Paisley’s A&E has continually notched up some of the longest waits as hardworking staff try to cling on and keep services running.
“We need urgent action to ease the pressure on A&E and keep patients safe – including support for staff and a real plan to tackle delayed discharge.”
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