MSP calls for support to ensure NHS Grampian patients are treated within target time
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North-east MSP Tess White has urged the Scottish Government to ensure patients in Grampian are treated at accident and emergency within four hours.
Her call comes after figures showed waiting times for the health board are among the lowest in mainland Scotland.
The new statistics show only 80.7 per cent of accident and emergency patients in the north-east are being seen within the four-hour period.
This compares with neighbouring health board NHS Tayside, which saw 93.6 per cent within four hours and NHS Highland which saw 90.5 per cent.
The Scottish Government has a target of ensuring 95 per cent of patients are seen within four hours but no mainland health board has met this in the last week.
Various Scottish health boards including NHS Grampian have recently declared a “Code Black” status.
Ms White has called on the Scottish Government to back Scottish Conservative plans for a one-off £600 million investment in the NHS to tackle waiting times.
She has also urged ministers to look into changing the rules for NHS staff who are double vaccinated and have tested negative but are still having to self-isolate and be off work.
Ms White said: “Our health service staff at NHS Grampian are continuing to go above and beyond and are under ever increasing pressure.
“As they continue to fight Covid, it is imperative Ministers urgently give NHS Grampian the resources they require to see as many patients as possible within four hours at accident and emergency.
“It is hugely concerning that many patients across the north-east are waiting well over four hours to be treated.
