Borders politicians blast SNP over worsening A&E waits at BGH
Borders politicians Rachael Hamilton MSP and John Lamont MP have blasted the SNP Government for failing to get a grip of spiralling A&E waiting times at the Borders General Hospital.
This comes after an FOI request revealed a range of worrying findings. The FOI response showed that patients attending A&E in April, May, June and July this year faced waits over twice as long as they would have had they attended at the same time last year. One patient was left to wait 65 hours before being seen.
The FOI response also disclosed the regularity with which the A&E department breached capacity, with no tangible improvements made over the last year.
Ms Hamilton and Mr Lamont have both contacted Scotland’s Health Secretary, Humza Yousaf, on several occasions to warn him of the difficulties NHS Borders has been facing. However, they are far from satisfied with the responses they have received, and say now is the time for Mr Yousaf to take action.
Rachael Hamilton MSP said:
“These figures are yet another damning indictment of Humza Yousaf’s flimsy NHS recovery plan. My understanding of a recovery is that things should be getting better, not worse.
“The dedication and hard work of staff in A&E at the Borders General can only go so far when the Health Secretary is failing to provide them with the resources they need.
“Until Mr Yousaf rethinks his approach and begins to understand the needs of NHS Borders fully to get it back on its feet, people are going continue suffering, and potentially waiting 65 hours in A&E.
“I completely understand how difficult it must be for staff and patients to deal with these issues. That is why we need to see urgent action to help the NHS recover from the pandemic. I will continue make this point in the Scottish Parliament.”
John Lamont MP said:
“BGH staff are working tirelessly to deal with the huge pressures on the NHS. But I am hearing more and more from local people who work in NHS Borders that are really struggling.
“Sadly, there is no sign of this improving anytime soon.
“We need to see more support from the SNP Government and a guarantee that they are going to get things moving soon.
“The NHS can work wonders. But Yousaf needs to get a grip before it is too late.”
