Harley: A&E waits are totally unacceptable

Responding to new figures showing that in the week ending 30th August, 11,811 patients waited over 4 hours, the second highest number of people to wait over 4 hours in a week, while 4,457 waited over 8 hours, and 1,880 waited over 12 hours, Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Adam Harley MSP said:

“When the SNP first took power, virtually no one was waiting more than 12 hours at A&E, but now over 1,000 people are experiencing these waits every week.

“These waits are totally unacceptable and are happening because too many hospital beds are occupied by patients who can’t get the care package they need to return home.

“John Swinney needs to make sure that any NHS reform directly addresses the daily pressures our NHS is facing and tackles the crisis in social care. That’s the only way we can help people leave hospital on time, free up bed space and get everyone the care they need when they need it.”