Waiting times rise at Ayrshire A&E units

Dec 4 2009 Ayrshire Post (main ed)

ACCIDENT and emergency waiting times are longer than ever in Ayrshire hospitals.

Patients waited an average of 97 minutes to be seen at Ayr and Crosshouse hospitals in 2009 – up on the 84-minute waiting time in 2007.

The news has concerned Ayr MSP John Scott, who was at the forefront of the campaign to save Ayr A&E when health chiefs threatened it with closure.

He said: “I think it is important to note that over the last three years, waiting times in the NHS Ayrshire and Arran area have been consistently below the Scottish average, and that is a tribute to the hard work of local health service staff.

“However the fact that waiting times are trending upwards is a matter of concern, and I will be raising this with the health board to seek an explanation and assurances that every step possible will be taken to reverse that trend.”

And Mr Scott cautioned that the figures highlight the need to ensure a secure future for Ayr A&E.

He added: “There is no doubt in my mind that had we lost our A&E department at Ayr Hospital the situation would have been much worse, but clearly further action still needs to be taken.”