CRAIG Hoy, a Conservative MSP for South Scotland, says A&E waiting times in Lothian continue to be “completely unacceptable”.
Mr Hoy’s comment comes after A&E departments across Scotland recorded their second-worst ever performance. Only 69.7% of patients were seen within four hours of arriving at A&E.
The SNP’s target is for 95% of patients to be seen within four hours. However, in Lothian only two-thirds of patients were seen within four hours.
Mr Hoy says the lengthy waiting times are inevitably going to lead to avoidable deaths in Lothian and that Humza Yousaf’s inadequate NHS Recovery plan has failed to support A&E services.
He said: “A&E waiting times in Lothian continue to be completely unacceptable.
“Despite the heroic efforts by staff on the frontline across the Lothians, more and more patients are facing lengthy waits at A&E.
“This is a grim reminder of how SNP Health Secretary Humza Yousaf has failed to get on top of an ever-growing crisis in our A&E departments.
“He is failing to show the leadership required to reduce waiting times for patients in Lothian and ease the pressure on staff.
“His flimsy NHS Recovery Plan has simply not been good enough. With the emergence of the Omicron variant, the pressures on A&E are likely to get even worse.
“Lives are on the line with each passing week. Humza Yousaf needs to finally step up and give NHS Lothian the resources they need.”
