NEW statistics show that during the week ending January 22, Accident and Emergency (A and E) departments in Dumfries and Galloway continued to miss the Scottish Government’s legally binding target of 95 per cent of patients being admitted to the hospital, transferred or discharged within four hours of arriving.
However, the region was found to have the best figures in South Scotland.
Statistics showed an improving picture for NHS Dumfries and Galloway, 81 per cent – up from 75 per cent in the previous week.
There was also minimal patients waiting for longer than eight or 12 hours with 32 and two respectively.
South Scotland Labour MSP Colin Smyth said: “These figures are an improvement on the dismal winter A and E stats, but the fact remains that our NHS is in crisis with thousands waiting too long for treatment.
“Patient and staff wellbeing is still at risk, lives are being lost and delayed discharge is at breaking point.
“The Scottish Government must end delayed discharge, which causes capacity problems with a lack of available beds, and stop this crisis once and for all.
“They must also invest further in primary care and tackle illnesses before they get serious. Health inequalities are widening under the SNP’s watch, and they must tackle this issue head on.”
