Edinburgh's Royal Infirmary has recorded one of the worst accident and emergency waiting times in Scotland.
New figures from Public Health Scotland states that only 38.5 per cent of those arriving at the Infirmary’s A&E department were treated within the Scottish Government’s four-hour target time during the week ending November 27. This was down from 41.3 per cent the previous week.
The report also shows that across Scotland, only 61.9 per cent of patients attending A&E units were seen within the SNP’s four-hour target time, the lowest on record.
READ NEXT-Edinburgh singer collapses on stage with 'heart attack' as tour cancelled
Of the three emergency units in Lothian, The Royal Infirmary times were the lowest with St John’s in Livingston seeing 67.2 per cent of its patients on time (69.2 per cent the previous week), and the Sick Kids recording a much better performance of nine out of ten, down from 91.1 per cent.
Jacquie Campbell, Chief Officer, Acute Services, NHS Lothian said: “As previously advised, the waits to be seen within our Emergency Departments, and the waits that patients are experiencing if they need to be admitted to hospital are much longer than what we would want to deliver for our patients. Our services are experiencing unprecedented and prolonged levels of demand which continues to cause real challenges for both acute and community care.
“Despite this, our teams are working tirelessly to ensure that we can continue to prioritise the most clinically urgent patients by managing our resources and staff to improve flexibility and support patient flow.
“To ensure that we can continue to do this, everyone has a part to play. It is important to remember that there is self-care information on NHS Inform, and that local pharmacies, GPs, dental practices or opticians may be a more appropriate route to treatment and care. Finally, if you think you need to visit A&E, but it's not life threatening, or you think you need to visit a Minor Injury Unit, call NHS 24 on 111 first, day or night and you will be directed to the right care in the right place.
“If it is an emergency always call 999 or go to your local A&E.”
READ NEXT -
Edinburgh Scotmid worker rushed to hospital after being threatened at knifepoint
Edinburgh armed police lock down residential street during emergency incident
Young West Lothian man rushed to hospital after early morning gang attack
Poundland and B&M shoppers hail £1 bathroom essential that bans mould 'for good'
Edinburgh M8 crash causes rush hour chaos as police race to major bypass junction
