A&E waiting times fall below pre-lockdown level

The number of A&E patients seen within four hours has dropped to pre-pandemic levels, despite a reduction in numbers, new figures show.

In the week up to December 13, 83.7% of people who attended A&E were seen in four hours, short of the 95% target set by the Scottish Government.

The latest figure, released by the NHS on Tuesday, is the lowest since the week of March 8, when it was 83.5% – however, that week saw 26,103 patients, compared with 19,187 in December.

The proportion of patients seen in four hours has dropped sharply in recent weeks, from 90% in the week up to November 29 and 88% in the week up to December 6.

Scottish Labour health spokeswoman Monica Lennon called for the Scottish Government to “pull out all the stops” to support the NHS.

“Worryingly, A&E waiting times are rocketing because the Scottish Government is still not properly resourcing our NHS,” she said.

Frontline staff are continuing to care for people in “increasingly challenging and risky circumstances” Lennon added.

She said: “Social distancing and PPE requirements are essential, but they also add to the time taken to complete tasks.

“Scottish Labour has previously asked for a review of the NHS estate to ensure we have enough space to treat patients safely during the pandemic.”

She added: “It’s time the SNP listened to frontline staff and patients and pulled out all the stops to support our NHS.

“Scottish Labour has asked the Scottish Government to urgently use the Barnett consequentials from the UK Government to help our NHS.”