2 July 2019
Figures released today by the Scottish Government for May 2019 highlights continued difficulties faced by Emergency Departments.
Data for May 2019 shows that just 89.10% of patients were seen within the four-hour target in major Emergency Medicine departments. This is an increase of 0.9% percentage points when compared to April 2019, however this represents a decrease of 2.8% when compared to May 2018.
The number of patients waiting eight hours or more in an emergency care facility
in May 2019 was 1123, a decrease of 240 patients when compared to April 2019. However, this represents an 86.54% increase when compared to May 2018.
The number of patients waiting 12 hours or more in May 2019 was 189. This represents an increase of 148.68% when compared with May 2018.
Dr David Chung, Vice President of RCEM Scotland said: “Today’s figures paint a bleak picture of the strain placed on Emergency Departments in Scotland.
“NHS Scotland has not hit the 95% four-hour performance target since July 2017, despite the best efforts of Emergency Department staff who work tirelessly to provide round-the-clock patient-centred care. We need a system-wide approach to staffing in order to address staff shortages, rota gaps, and early career burnout.”
