Waiting times in Scotland worst on record

New figures show that waiting times in Scottish accident and emergency departments were the worst on record in the first week of 2022, and that almost a third of the 21,163 patients going to A&E took more than four hours to be attended to.

 

The figure of 67.4 per cent meeting the four hour target during the week ending 9^th January is the worst ever, down from the previous low of 69.6 per cent in October.

 

Of the 6,902 patients who waited longer than four hours, 2,079 waited more that eight hours and 690 spent longer than 12 hours at A&E before being dealt with.

 

Health Secretary for Scotland Humza Yousaf, said the figures were a reminder of the “unprecedented challenges” the NHS continues to face.

 

Mr Yousef added “Today’s figures have undoubtedly been impacted by Omicron-related staff absences, with health boards reporting a 31 per cent increase in coronavirus absence compared with the previous week.

 

“On average, 7,174 NHS staff were absent per day for reasons related to coronavirus, or around 4 per cent of the NHS workforce.”

 

He went on to say “Although the next few weeks will undoubtedly continue to be the most difficult and very challenging, I would expect to see an improvement in performance next week and in the weeks ahead.”

 

Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events.  Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.

 

If you believe that you or a relative may have been injured as a result of clinical/medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our medical negligence solicitors on the freephone number below.

 

Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

 

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