Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP for Central Scotland, Graham Simpson, says Humza Yousaf is failing to ease “an intolerable strain” on A&E departments in NHS Lanarkshire.
Mr Simpson’s call comes after A&E waiting times in NHS Lanarkshire again failed to hit the SNP’s target.
The SNP insist 95% of A&E patients should be seen within four hours but in NHS Lanarkshire only 69.6% were seen in this timeframe.
At certain hospitals in the health board, the performance was even worse than the board’s overall average. Both University Hospital Hairmyres (68.2%) and Wishaw General Hospital (61.8%) recorded waiting times higher than the regional average.
Mr Simpson says Humza Yousaf must do more than tinker at the edges if NHS Lanarkshire isn’t to suffer a disastrous winter period.
Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP, Graham Simpson said: “The A&E waiting time figures in NHS Lanarkshire make for grim reading.
“Humza Yousaf has failed to get on top of this crisis and more and more patients are paying the price.
“Our heroic frontline staff are working flat out in NHS Lanarkshire but they are under an intolerable strain and haven’t been fully resourced by Humza Yousaf.
“The peak winter period is almost upon us and there is little sign of improvement. Humza Yousaf must finally show the leadership required, otherwise the crisis will only worsen in NHS Lanarkshire.”
Notes: The figures for week ending 31 October here: https://www.publichealthscotland.scot/publications/nhs-performs-weekly-update-of-emergency-department-activity-and-waiting-time-statistics/nhs-performs-weekly-update-of-emergency-department-activity-and-waiting-time-statistics-week-ending-31-october-2021/
