NHS failings brought to light in new report by Audit Scotland
Only 62.1% of A&E attendances were seen within four hours in December 2022 according to a report by Audit Scotland.
The report has called for transparency from the government about how long it will take the NHS to recover from the pandemic.
Backlogs and increased waiting times have plagued the health service over the past few years due to the strain caused by Covid-19.
Auditor General Stephen Boyle said:
This recent report has been met with scathing condemnation of the SNP’s handling of the pandemic and the NHS. Scottish Conservative Shadow Health Secretary, Dr Sandesh Gulhane said: “This scathing report fully exposes Humza Yousaf’s monumental failures in charge of Scotland’s NHS.
Not only is his flimsy NHS recovery plan inadequate but there is trademark SNP lack of transparency about his strategy.
That is leaving suffering patients and my burnt-out colleagues on the frontline in the dark about what progress – if any – is being made on reducing the huge treatment backlogs.”
The number of inpatients has increased by a staggering 83.9% over the period of September 2019 to September 2022. Which a recorded 141,796 inpatients recorded in September 2022.
These rising figures further emphasise the need for reform in Scotland’s NHS and a spokesperson for the Royal College of Physicians in Edinburgh said: “At such a fraught and financially stretched time in our public finances, the College believes that serious consideration must be given to whether we continue with the current proposals for a National Care Service.
While the College supports a National Care Service in principle, it is vital that the care sector is appropriately resourced and staffed to meet current and future demands.”
This Audit report comes as NHS Lanarkshire today launched their plans for Operation: Flow, which is a week-long campaign they hope will ease pressure on hospitals.
A key part of the campaign is a firebreak that is hoped to relieve the strain on the areas three university hospitals, Hairmyres, Monklands and Wishaw.
Dr Chris Deighan, NHS Lanarkshire Medical Director, said:
“As flow is both about patients being admitted and discharged from hospital.
Families and carers can really help by being flexible, responsive and supportive as possible when it is time for patients to be discharged. Minimising unnecessary time in hospital is important for a patient’s recovery as well as helping the hospital function well for everyone’s benefit.”
