Over 35,000 people attending A&E 'didn't need to' as waiting times soar to worst level since January

Two in three people attending Accident and Emergency (A&E) did not need to be there, according to latest figures from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC).

Of the 51,896 people self-presenting across the health board in a six-month period, 33,469 had injuries or illnesses that could have been treated elsewhere.

The figure represents 65% of patients who attended emergency departments without prior consultation from a GP or NHS24.

It comes after statistics released by Public Health Scotland (PHS) on Tuesday showed A&E waiting times are at the worst level since January.

Around 59.5% of attendances at A&E were seen and subsequently admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours in the week up to December 1, down from 61.2% the previous week.

The Scottish Government aims for this figure to be 95%.

However the last time performance was as poor was in the week up to January 7, making it the fifth worst waiting times on record.

Health experts are appealing to the public for help in changing this trend ahead of the busy winter period.

Dr Claire Harrow, deputy medical director for Acute Services, stated: “More than 36,000 people – that’s nearly 100 every single day – are self-presenting to A&E when they could be treated more quickly and appropriately elsewhere.

“We need to spread awareness that there are quicker and easier paths to care than A&E for people with minor illnesses and injuries. This is to benefit them but also importantly, to minimise potential delays to anyone attending with a more serious illness.”

A&E is intended for life-threatening conditions and the most serious injuries. In such cases, people should call 999 or go to A&E immediately.

NHSGGC has identified the top five minor injuries that people attended A&E with, which they say could have been treated elsewhere.

These include ankle sprains or strains, lower back pain, open finger wounds, wrist injuries, and strained feet.

The top five minor illness resulting in attendance at A&E between January and June were viral infections, acute upper respiratory infections, diarrhoea and gastroenteritis, urinary tract infections (UTI), and acute tonsillitis.

Dr Harrow continued: “Unless you have a serious injury or your condition is life-threatening, A&E is not the best place to go. If you don’t need to be there, you will be redirected elsewhere.

“There are quicker ways for you to access the care you need if you’re feeling unwell or have a minor injury, and they avoid sitting in an A&E waiting room.”

Government accused of leaving A&E in ‘crisis’

The Scottish Government has been accused of leaving the NHS in a “state of crisis”.

Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said: “Despite the spin, things are going backwards for our NHS under the SNP and their failing NHS Recovery Plan. Over 10,000 people waited over four hours at A&E this week alone.

“The SNP’s failure to give our hard-working NHS staff the beds and safe staffing levels that they need has left A&E in a state of crisis for too long.

“We need to see the Scottish Government finally take some urgent action to address this situation.”

Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said it appears the Scottish Government has “learned nothing from the past 16 winters” since the SNP took office.

“Week after week, more and more patients are being forced to wait eight or even 12 hours in emergency departments or hospital corridors just to be treated,” she added.

“The SNP need to act before more hospitals declare critical incidents and A&E comes to a complete standstill.

“The SNP must stop posturing and use the record budget settlement from the UK Labour Government to make real changes to patients’ experience.”

Scottish Tory health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane described the statistics as “horrendous”.

“Successive SNP health secretaries have failed to give frontline services the resources they need to meet demand and dedicated staff simply cannot cope,” he added.

“It is appalling that over 40% of patients were not seen within the SNP’s own target time and thousands waited over 12 hours for emergency care.

“The SNP’s lack of vision for the NHS has left A&E departments in a disgraceful state of permanent crisis.

Health secretary Neil Gray said: “Scotland’s core A&E departments have been the best performing in the UK for the last eight years.

“But we know that too many people are still waiting too long – and we are determined to drive improvements across our NHS.

“That is why our budget will provide record funding to our NHS – helping to transform patient’s experiences and support those on the frontline, and I am asking Parliament to unite to back this record investment.

“The heightened winter pressure being felt by our A&E departments is not unique to Scotland, with similar challenges being felt by emergency departments throughout the UK.

“To help relieve pressure on services, I would ask people to consider whether their condition is an emergency before going to A&E.

“Local GPs and pharmacies can be contacted during the day for non-critical care and NHS 24 is also available on 111 for non-emergencies.”