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Waiting times cut -
4 hours from arrival to discharge in an A & E Unit
Allan Wilson MSP has welcomed new targets to cut waiting times and improve
the service for NHS patients. By the end of 2007 no patient will wait longer
than:
18 weeks for cataract surgery.
16 weeks from GP referral through a rapid access chest pain clinic to
cardiac intervention.
4 hours from arrival to discharge in an Accident and Emergency Unit.
24 hours for hip surgery after a fracture.
Local MSP Allan Wilson MSP said:
“The NHS in Ayrshire is performing well and the extra investment that has
been made here is paying off. The General Hospitals Division has sustained
the maximum nine month guarantee for treatment for all inpatient and day
cases, since January 2003.
“By December next year the outpatient and day case target is to be reduced
to six months and they are making steady progress towards this target also.
By the end of September this year, 90.5% of new outpatients were seen by one
of the general hospitals within 26 weeks. Within the community, 99% were
seen within 26 weeks by the end of October” said Mr Wilson.
“Throughout Scotland, per head of population, the number of people waiting
for inpatient and day case treatment is the lowest in the UK. There has also
been significant improvement in tackling cancer, heart disease and strokes
and in recruitment, with more nurses, GPs and hospital consultants.”
“However, I am under no illusions and recognise that we have to continue to
improve our health service to meet the expectations of people here in
Ayrshire. That is why I am glad that the Executive have not only outlined
increased investment, but recognised that there is a need for continued
modernisation and reform as well.”
The Cunninghame North MSP went on to attack the SNP “for putting patients
second to their blinkered ideology” and accused the Tories “of planning to
break up the NHS and force patients to pay for treatment.”
“It is clear that the vast majority of people in this country agree that we
need a modern and efficient health service free at the point of delivery and
funded from the public purse. However, while the SNP refuse to accept that
modernisation is required or that private sector finance can provide new
hospitals and clinics, the
Tory agenda is about public sector cuts and privatisation.”
“The Tory plans to cut UK public spending by £20 billion will devastate our
public services and their plans for ‘patient passports’ would move the NHS
towards individual charging and US-style healthcare insurance. The choice
for people in this area is clear - a modern NHS with Labour or an end to the
NHS as the Tories force people to pay for treatment” concluded Mr Wilson.
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