A&E departments

During December 2016, 92.6% of patients were seen and subsequently admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours from Scotland’s A&E departments.

There were 130,848 attendances – the highest level for December since 2012.

Health Secretary Shona Robison said:

“It is testament to the dedication of our NHS staff that 92.6% of patients were seen within four hours in what was the busiest December for four years.

“The figures also show that our A&E departments continue to outperform other areas of the UK and have done so for the last 21 consecutive months of published statistics.

“As we have seen throughout the year, A&E figures will fluctuate week-to-week and we are monitoring this closely to ensure no-one is waiting longer than absolutely necessary in our emergency departments.

“Our A&Es have consistently out-performed those in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, but we want to go further and continue to improve performance in Scotland.

“We are committed to long-term, sustainable change put in place in order to maintain high levels of performance during peaks and troughs of activity. We have put record investment and increased levels of staffing into our hospitals to achieve this – including an extra £3 million for health boards to support preparations over winter.

“We know that a small number of sites are still facing particular challenges with demand and performance, and the Government is working closely with those health boards to provide any additional support required.”

Background

Weekly A&E figures for week ending 29^th January 2017 show 92.5% of patients were seen and subsequently admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours from Scotland’s core A&E departments.

Scotland's core A&E performance in November 2016 was 10 percentage points higher than England and 15 points higher than Wales.

Monthly A&E performance statistics include figures from all A&E services across Scotland. Of these, 30 are classed as ‘core’ emergency departments - larger A&E services that typically provide a 24 hour consultant led service. The core A&E performance for December 2016 was 91.6%.

Weekly statistics look at Scotland’s 30 core, 24 hour, consultant-led A&E sites only.

The full statistical publication is available on the ISD Scotland website

The figures are also available on the NHS Performs website