A&E performance

During the month of August 2016, 94.8% of patients were seen and subsequently admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours from Scotland’s A&E departments.

In August there were 142,950 A&E attendances – an increase of nearly 7,500 attendances, or 5.5%, compared to July and the highest level of attendances in any August for three years.

Weekly A&E figures for week ending 25^th September were also published today, showing 94.9% of patients were seen and subsequently admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours from Scotland’s core A&E departments.

Health Secretary Shona Robison said:

“Our dedicated NHS staff have been working very hard to improve the experience for patients in A&E. While weekly figures can show variations due to a number of reasons, core A&E performance in Scotland has remained consistently better than elsewhere in the UK for the last 17 consecutive months.

“At a monthly level, hospitals are maintaining a high level of performance and we are continually working to retain and build on this to ensure patients get the service they rightly deserve.

“However, we know there is always more to be done, which is why health boards are continuing to implement our six essential actions. These initiatives aim to minimise long delays in A&E and assessment units by improving patient flow throughout all areas of the hospital and community.

“We have also put record investment in place and increased staffing to help meet demand. This will help support health boards 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.