Long waits in A&E becoming the ‘shocking norm’, warn Tories

Opposition MSPs say A&E waits of more than four hours have become the “shocking norm” for more than a third of patients – even as the health service moves into spring.

The latest data for the week ending March 2 shows 63.5% of emergency department attendances were seen and subsequently admitted, transferred or discharged within the four-hour target.

This figure was a slight improvement on 62.0% from the previous week.

Performance against the four-hour target has been below 75% since early 2022.

Meanwhile, 1,510 (5.7%) patients spent more than 12 hours in an emergency department during the week to March 2.

We know some patients are waiting too long for care and this is not good enough. We are determined to reduce long waits and drive improvements

Scottish Conservative health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane said: “SNP ministers are still asleep at the wheel in getting a grip on the permanent crisis in Scotland’s A&E departments.

“Despite us heading into spring, it remains the shocking norm that well over a third of A&E patients are waiting too long every week to be treated.

“Waiting times at A&E are even worse than this time last year, which exposes how badly the SNP are failing frontline services.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader and health spokesman Alex Cole-Hamilton said: “For years under the SNP our A&E departments have been left mired in crisis and it’s leading to staff burning out.

“The problem at A&E is that there isn’t enough capacity. Too many people are stuck unable to leave hospital because they can’t get the care package they need to leave safely.

“We cannot fix these A&E waits without fixing the problems in social care to create the capacity needed to get people seen on time.”

Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “Our A&E departments are facing significant demand with similar pressures being felt right across the UK.

“Health boards are working closely with the Scottish Ambulance Service to manage the flow of patients through A&E and our staff are working to ensure patients are seen as quickly as possible.

“We know some patients are waiting too long for care and this is not good enough. We are determined to reduce long waits and drive improvements – that is why we are investing £200 million to address backlogs and improve capacity.

“By this summer we will deliver specialised frailty teams at the front door of every A&E in Scotland, enabling frail patients with complex needs to bypass A&E and receive the specialist care they need in the most suitable location for them – whether that be in hospital or at home – meaning better care for these patients while reducing pressure on our A&Es.”