Lanarkshire Conservative MSP Meghan Gallacher has accused the Scottish Government of presiding over “terrifying” A&E waiting times.
Meghan’s remarks come after monthly A&E waiting times for November showed that only 55.5 per cent of patients in NHS Lanarkshire were seen within the government’s four-hour target.
Within that month, Monklands A&E was the best performing hospital at 57 per cent while Wishaw’s figure was 55.2 per cent and Hairmyres was sitting at 54.5 per cent.
Meghan says these waits are “intolerable” and “undoubtedly put lives at risk” and insists that the SNP have failed to give dedicated staff the resources they need to see patients quickly enough.
The Central Scotland list MSP said: “A&E waiting times in NHS Lanarkshire are terrifying.
“Far too many patients are waiting too long to be seen in NHS Lanarkshire and we know that undoubtedly puts lives at risk.
“These waits are intolerable and successive SNP health secretaries have left NHS Lanarkshire without the resources to meet the demands of patients turning up in A&E.
“A&E departments are in permanent crisis mode and as winter continues there is a real danger the waits will spiral out of control.
“These waiting times must finally be the wake-up call for Neil Gray to deliver a proper plan to support Scotland’s NHS. This must prioritise getting money to the frontline in NHS Lanarkshire rather than being wasted on pointless bureaucracy.”
Health Secretary Neil Gray said he is determined to “drive improvements” after he met health board leaders alongside the First Minister on Monday evening.
Mr Gray, who also serves as the MSP for Airdrie and Shotts, said high levels of flu cases continue to put pressure on the NHS.
He said: “Our A&E departments are still facing peak winter pressure and this has been exacerbated by higher than normal levels of influenza.
“NHS staff are working hard to ensure patients are seen as quickly as possible, but we know some people are waiting too long and we are determined to drive improvements.
“Last night, I, along with the First Minister, held a further meeting with health boards and key stakeholders to assess system pressures and discuss ongoing work to minimise delays for patients.
“I thank the public for continuing to do their part in observing the advice on the best way to access services – it is vital people only attend A&E in a genuine emergency.
“If this is not the case, there are online tools at NHS Inform, and NHS 24 can be contacted on 111. For life-threatening emergencies always call 999.
“I would urge all those eligible to get vaccinated to help combat high levels of influenza.”
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