Graham Simpson has slammed the latest A&E waiting times in Lanarkshire as "deplorable".
The latest national waiting time statistics showed just 68 per cent of patients across Scotland were seen within four hours of arriving at an emergency ward - the second worst performance on record.
Across NHS Lanarkshire, just 63 per cent were seen within four hours, significantly short of the SNP’s target of 95 per cent of A&E patients to be seen within four hours - this has not been met since July 2020.
Tory MSP for Central Scotland, Mr Simpson, says the crisis in NHS Lanarkshire’s emergency wards is "deepening" yet SNP health secretary Humza Yousaf is "still failing" to get a grip on the situation.
He told Lanarkshire Live : "A&E waiting times in Lanarkshire are beyond disgraceful.
“This is happening week after week and our heroic staff across the health board simply cannot cope any more. More and more patients are suffering excessive waits and we know that these lead to avoidable deaths.
“We need to finally see an urgent strategy to tackle these lengthy waits at A&E from Humza Yousaf.
“He’s seen this crisis engulfing for months yet has done nothing about it and is still pointing to his flimsy NHS recovery plan from last August.
“That’s not good enough and these figures could get even worse in Lanarkshire if he doesn’t get a grip once and for all.”
Scottish Green MSP Gillian Mackay called on the government to investigate the situation.
“This is the worst performance to date for NHS Lanarkshire and is a real cause for concern.
“Like health boards across Scotland, NHS Lanarkshire is under immense strain and more must be done to support the health professionals who are working round the clock whilst under unprecedented pressure.
“The current waiting time performance does not reflect the hard work and dedication of the teams in emergency care.”
Throughout the region, just 59 per cent of patients were seen within four hours at Wishaw General, 62 per cent at Hairmyres and 70 per cent at Monklands.
NHS Lanarkshire’s executive medical director, Dr Jane Burns, this week urged people not to attend A&E unless their condition is “urgent or life-threatening,” with the number of COVID patients in hospitals across the region continuing to rise.
Residents are reminded that if anyone does attend one of Lanarkshire's emergency departments staff may redirect them towards other more appropriate services.
Another Central Scotland MSP, Meghan Gallacher, branded the figures “beyond disgraceful,” with the Conservative politician calling for an urgent strategy to address the crisis.
She also criticised the health secretary's NHS recovery plan.
In a statement, Mr Yousaf said: "I noted at the time that the week ending March 20 was shaping up to be the most difficult our health service has ever faced.
"The unprecedented impact of the pandemic is continuing to take its toll on our NHS and these latest figures continue to underline the extent of the pressure on services.
"We are currently seeing record high levels of COVID transmission and more people in our hospitals with COVID than at any time during the pandemic - this rise in recent weeks has inevitably had an impact on services like A&E.
"The Chief Nursing Officer is now reviewing national Infection control guidance with a view to easing current restrictions which have added to hospital pressures through reduced bed numbers. Staff absences and a growing number of acutely unwell patients, resulting in longer stays, is also having an impact.
"We owe a huge debt of gratitude to our healthcare staff who are continuing to provide vital treatment and optimal patient care.
“For many A&E will not be the right place for their healthcare need. People should consider whether their condition is an emergency, such as a stroke, heart attack or major trauma, before going to A&E."
Dr John Thomson, Vice President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine Scotland, has labelled the current situation “untenable and unsustainable”.
Local GPs can be contacted during the day for non-critical care, as well as local pharmacies. If you think, you need A&E but it is not an emergency NHS 24 telephone service is available on 111.
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