Scottish Ministers are being urged by the Scottish Greens to “fast-track action” on social care staffing, as new figures show a further rise in patients stuck in hospital – the vast majority of them waiting for social care. [1]
Continue reading Delayed discharges up: Greens urge social care staff boost
Alison Johnstone, Health spokesperson for the Scottish Greens and MSP for Lothian, has expressed concern at the high level of delayed discharges – people stuck in hospital beds awaiting social care. Continue reading Delayed Discharges: Green MSP Concerned At Lothian Levels
People across Scotland continue to rate their experience of hospital care as highly positive, according to latest figures. Continue reading Patient satification at record high, says Scottish Government
The effects of the rising flu rate are being seen across A&E departments, Health Secretary Shona Robison said yesterday. Latest figures show the number of people reporting flu-like symptoms shows no sign of slowing. Continue reading Winter health: Flu case numbers yet to peak
Accident &Emergency attendances in the week leading up to Christmas Day rose by almost 20 per cent compared to the same period last year. Across Scotland, 26,569 people visited A&E in the week ending 24th December, up almost 20% or over 4,000 attendances on the same week last year. NHS 24 also reported their busiest period in the service’s fifteen year history. Continue reading Full to bursting: Health services struggle to cope with 20% rise in numbers over Christmas
Alison Johnstone MSP, Health spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, has expressed concern at a rise in NHS vacancies as figures show an increase in staff sickness and spending on agency workers. Continue reading Johnstone concern over NHS vacancies
Alison Johnstone MSP, Health spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, has urged Scottish Ministers to focus on staffing after figures showed a further drop in the number of patients being seen within four hours of arriving at hospital emergency departments.
The Scottish Government target is that 95 per cent of patients are seen within four hours. Yesterday’s figures show that in December only 92.6 per cent were seen within that time, the latest month-on-month fall from a peak of 95.8 in July.
The Health Secretary says Scotland’s A&E departments are outperforming other areas of the UK.
Alison Johnstone, Health spokesperson for the Scottish Greens and MSP for Lothian, said: “Rather than comparing our hospitals to those south of the border, the Health Secretary should be striving to deliver the kind of health service Scotland wants. The seasonal drop in performance at A&E shows that not enough planning and investment went into the system in advance, and responsibility lies squarely with the Health Secretary.
“Greater effort is needed in recruitment and retention of staff, not just in A&E but in our GP surgeries and in social care, so that we minimise the need to visit and stay in hospital where possible.”
Two site option recommended
An expert review has concluded that inpatient children’s services should be retained on two sites in Lothian – St John’s Hospital (SJH) and the Royal Hospital for Sick Children (RHSC). Continue reading 24 hour paediatric services to stay at St John’s?
Strict infection control measures have been reinforced across NHS Lothian amid concerns that the winter vomiting virus is still circulating. Continue reading Hospital visitors urged to help stop spread of Norovirus
‘Charging to park at hospitals was an unnecessary financial burden on families and those needing treatment at a difficult time’ – Health Secretary Shona Robison
Scrapping car parking charges at most of Scotland’s hospitals has saved patients, staff and visitors more than £25 million over the past seven years, the Scottish Government announced today.
Since 31 December 2008 parking has been free for patients, visitors and staff at hospitals where charges had previously applied – although charges remain in place at PFI hospitals including Edinburgh’s Royal Infirmary.
Health Secretary Shona Robison said: “The founding principle of our NHS is to have services that are free for everyone – services that are not out to make profit. That’s why I’m delighted that getting rid of car parking charges has saved patients and staff over £25 million.
“Charging to park at hospitals was an unnecessary financial burden on families and those needing treatment at a difficult time.
“Health boards are also continuing to work hard to put plans in place for addressing potential increases in demand, the promotion of greener transport and the possible misuse of spaces by commuters or others.
“I would like to be able to abolish charging at the three PFI car parks too but, unfortunately, these facilities are locked into long-term contracts with operators which precede this Government. We continue to keep these under review.”
