Less than a third of casualty patients seen within four hour target as Minister told to sort out ‘unacceptable’ delays

Less than a third of casualty patients seen within four hour target as Minister told to sort out ‘unacceptable’ delays

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UNDER-fire Health Secretary Michael Matheson was last night blasted for failing to “get a grip” on lagging waiting times in Scotland’s A&Es.

The Nats minister faced criticism as figures revealed less than a third of casualty patients were seen within the Government’s four-hour target earlier this month.

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Michael Matheson has been blasted over hospital waiting timesCredit: PA
Less than a third of casualty patients seen within four hour target

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Less than a third of casualty patients seen within four hour targetCredit: PA

Data for the week to December 17 shows that just 61.7 per cent of the 24,927 people were seen and admitted, transferred or discharged within that time frame — despite ministers’ 95 per cent target.

The poor performance levels heaps pressure on Mr Matheson, who has faced calls to quit over his £11,000 roaming charges bill racked up on his work iPad during a trip to Morocco.

Scottish Tory shadow health secretary Dr Sandesh Gulhane said: “As we hit the winter peak, A&E waiting times remain unacceptable.

“The SNP are still failing to meet their own targets and with the distracted and discredited Michael Matheson unable to get a grip on this crisis patients and staff are being compromised.”

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The Public Health Scotland stats also show 1,708 people spent more than 12 hours in A&E during the period, with 3,719 waiting for more than eight hours.

Humza Yousaf appointed Mr Matheson as Health Secretary in March after winning the SNP leadership race and being sworn in as First Minister.

But he has faced calls to sack the minister after he misled the Press over use of his parliamentary iPad during his family holiday over the festive period last year.

Taxpayers were initially left to foot the huge bill after Mr Matheson claimed the tablet was only used for parly business — before later saying his teenage sons had confessed to using its data to stream footie.

Yesterday he acknowledged that A&E waiting times are not what they should be.

He said: “Performance remains below the levels we all wish to see.

“As we enter the peak winter period, we are determined to provide boards with the support they need to deal with intense pressure on services.”

Scottish Labour public health spokeswoman Carol Mochan hit back: “Every week lives are being put at risk by long A&E waits, but we are stuck with a distracted and dishonest Health Secretary.”

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