PRESS RELEASE

December 10th, 2008

Winter pressures on NHS

Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil has praised the medics and staff at the Inverclyde Royal who coped during one of the hospital’s busiest ever days.

But he warned the Scottish Government that more action must be taken to deal with winter pressures on our hospitals.

Accident and emergency admissions shot up by 70 per cent at the local hospital because of the icy conditions.

Greater Glasgow Health Board was able to say that around 96 per cent of patients were still seen within the four-hour target.

Mr McNeil praised the staff who coped so well but warned that they couldn’t be expected to deal with such a huge influx of admission on a regular basis.

He pointed to rise in the number of beds blocked since April, a new strain of flu and forecasts for a prolonged bout of cold weather as causes for concern for this winter.

The MSP was able to quiz Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon in the Scottish Parliament last week about the additional pressures.

When asked about preparations over the winter period, the Cabinet Secretary admitted there was ‘no cause for complacency’ and pledged to ‘focus sharply on this important area’.

McNeil said: “On one icy day last week, accident and emergency admissions to Inverclyde royal hospital shot up by 70 per cent.

“Despite this huge number, our NHS workers coped manfully and were a credit to their profession despite the difficult situation.

“This is a huge achievement but I am far from convinced this is sustainable.

“With the cold weather set to bite for a prolonged period, a new strain of flu and failed promises over blocked beds, this could be a tough spell for our hospitals.

“So I am glad the cabinet secretary has taken the points I made on board and I hope this will see efforts to take the strain off hard-pressed workers.”

ENDS