NHS Forth Valley: 'We are doing everything possible to reduce delays'

According to Public Health Scotland figures, which stretch back to 2007, NHS Forth Valley had its lowest ever attendance at A&E in April with just 3718 people coming in for treatment.

This compares to 7422 in April 2019.

NHS Forth Valley A&Es recorded their second lowest ever figures in December 2020 with 4479 compared to 7193 for December 2019.

Despite those low attendances the percentage of people being seen within the four hour target in December 2020 was 91.5 per cent – when the national standard has been 95 per cent since 2007.

NHS Forth Valley responded to the figures, stating it was working hard to reduce any delays and then gave details of the new way it was operating its services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A spokesperson said: “We are doing everything possible to reduce delays and patients with more urgent or serious health issues continue to be prioritised to ensure they are seen and treated as quickly as possible.

“The majority of people who attend our Emergency Department are admitted, transferred or discharged within four hourss and in many cases patients will also have undergone diagnostic tests or started their treatment if they are waiting to be admitted.

“New national changes to urgent care have been introduced across Scotland to help people access the right care in the right place. For any urgent health issues which are not life-threating people can now call NHS 24 on 111 day or night for advice.

“NHS 24 can also refer them to a new Urgent Care Centre at Forth Valley Royal Hospital. This new facility is staffed by experienced local doctors and nurses who are able to provide advice, support and treatment for a wide range of urgent healthcare issues and minor injuries.

“This can be via telephone consultation, a video consultation or a face-to-face appointment. These new arrangements are designed to help people safe during the ongoing pandemic by avoiding unnecessary trips to hospital and reducing overcrowding in waiting areas.”

Back in December NHS Forth Valley set up the Urgent Care Centre with the aim of providing quicker clinical advice while helping keep people as safe as possible.

Under the new national arrangements anyone with a non-life-threatening condition – who would usually go to A&E – now calsl NHS 24 on 111 day or night to be directed to the right NHS service.

NHS 24 will assess people by telephone and, where appropriate, refer them to a new Urgent Care Centre at Forth Valley Royal Hospital. This new facility, which is staffed by experienced local doctors and nurses, brings together a number of existing services within the hospital, including minor injuries, GP Out-of-Hours services and assessment services, in one location to provide comprehensive advice, support and treatment for a wide range of urgent healthcare issues.

There are no changes to the arrangements for emergency healthcare care and people should continue to call 999 or go direct to Forth Valley Royal Hospital for emergencies.