North-east MSP Douglas Lumsden has hit out at ambulance waiting times after his dad was forced to sit outside Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for over five hours.
The Scottish Conservative called an ambulance for his 79-year-old dad, Douglas Lumsden Sr, last night after a doctor said he would need to go to the hospital.
An ambulance picked up Mr Lumsden Sr and his wife, June, at around 4.30pm to take them to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (ARI).
The couple were then left waiting over five and a half hours for a space to open up inside the building.
NHS Grampian has apologised for the long wait and stressed anyone not in a life-threatening condition should call NHS 24 on 111 before attending at A&E.
Anxious wait for parents
MSP Mr Lumsden described not knowing how long the wait would take and even tweeted NHS Grampian asking if there was a number to call so he could find out more.
He says his dad stayed in a ward overnight and has been put on antibiotics, and now Mr Lumsden is hoping his father’s recovery will not be delayed by the long wait.
“It was quite a long day yesterday,” he said. “The doctor came round quickly, the ambulance came quickly – it’s just frustrating it was over five hours he was waiting outside.
“Especially with my mum being in the back of the ambulance, it’s not great for her either.
@NHSGrampian Hello, my dad (accompanied by my mum) has been in the back of an ambulance outside ARI for 5 hours now waiting for a “space”. Is there a number I can call to get an update on how long they will be waiting? Thanks
— Douglas Lumsden MSP (@dlumsden) March 30, 2023
“You always read about these stories of people having huge waits outside a hospital, it’s only when you’re part of it you realise how frustrating it is and how badly we are treating people, especially our elderly, it’s not good at all.
“It just shows you how much the NHS is at breaking point really.”
Mr Lumsden spoke with staff at the hospital yesterday and they told him the long wait was due to a lot of people waiting, although he admits he did not see them for himself.
First minister should ‘do something about it’
Now Mr Lumsden Snr is on a ward and being treated, the Conservative MSP hopes the delay will not have any impact on his dad’s recovery and stressed it is not a reflection on any of the staff working under pressure.
He is calling on the newly appointed first minister to visit hospitals once again and see the long waits and the “legacy” he has left behind.
Last month, 13 ambulances were stacked up outside ARI after NHS Grampian declared a major incident and other hospitals across the country were under similar pressures.
Mr Lumsden said: “Humza is no longer health secretary, but this is the legacy he has left behind, this is the state he’s left the NHS in.
“It’s no reflection on any of the staff, they’ve all been absolutely brilliant and having to apologise all the way through the process.
“I would encourage Humza to get back out to hospitals and see what’s happening and see how people are having to wait in the back of ambulances for hours on end – and do something about it.”
He finished: “We’d heard there had been winter pressures, but we’re now really nearly into April. How long can the government use this excuse of winter pressures? It can’t go on like this.”
Disruption during busy periods
NHS Grampian has explained that ambulances are required to queue up outside hospitals during “exceptionally high demand”, which can be unpredictable.
Sandra Macleod, portfolio lead for medicine and unscheduled care, said: “Our hospitals are currently facing sustained pressure due to the volume of acutely ill patients arriving, delayed discharges and staffing pressures.
“This can unfortunately lead to ambulances having to wait at the front door, as we’re unable to admit more patients to the department.
“Between Sunday and Thursday, 722 patients were treated at the emergency department – 614 of these attendances were classed as majors.
“During periods of intense pressure, cases are triaged as normal with those facing life-threatening situations – such as heart attacks or strokes – continuing to be admitted rapidly for life-saving treatment as an absolute priority.
“It is vital patients phone NHS 24 on 111 before attending the emergency department or a minor injury unit – unless the situation is life threatening, for instance a suspected stroke of heart attack, in which case you should call 999.
“Using the 111 service allows us to keep waiting times to a minimum and better manage hospital capacity.”
Aware of long delays
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “We are aware of delays being experienced in NHS Grampian and apologise to all those affected.
“These are as a result of high levels of Covid which has led to bed closures and reduced staffing. We are working closely with NHS Grampian and the Scottish Ambulance Service to identify improvements.
“Delays in ambulance turnaround times are not unique to Scotland and are pressures that are being felt throughout the UK.
“Patient safety remains our priority and we apologise to anyone who has experienced a long wait.2
She added: “Our NHS staff are working hard to ensure the safe handover of patients, as quickly as possible.”
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