A&E performance

During the month of September 2016, 94.9% of patients were seen and subsequently admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours from Scotland’s A&E departments.

There were 141,115 attendances at A&E departments during September.

Performance against the four-hour target in the 12-months to September 2016 stands at an average of 94.4% - the highest since the equivalent period in 2012.

Health Secretary Shona Robison said:

“NHS staff across Scotland have been working hard to ensure people are seen as quickly as possible when they arrive in A&E.

“This is reflected in the fact that our core A&E performance in Scotland has remained better than elsewhere in the UK for the last 18 consecutive months.

“While weekly figures can show variations due to a number of reasons, at a monthly level hospitals are maintaining a high level of performance. We are continually working to retain and build on this to ensure patients get the service they rightly deserve.

“Health boards are continuing to implement our six essential actions, which aim to minimise long delays in A&E and assessment units. And we have put targeted investment in place to enable health boards to increase staffing to help meet demand.

“This action will help support health boards and our integration partnerships to maintain high levels of performance during peaks and troughs of activity.”

During the four hour period patients will be clinically assessed and undergo tests and treatment, before subsequently being discharged or admitted to hospital. The four hour period covers treatment and discharge/admit decision making.

Background

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.

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

Figures for week ending 23^rd October were also published today, showing 92.9% of patients were seen and subsequently admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours from Scotland’s core A&E departments.

The full statistical publication is available on the ISD Scotland website: http://www.isdscotland.org/

The figures are also available on the NHS Performs website: http://www.nhsperforms.scot