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NHS waiting times figures published
28/08/2007
The NHS is on track to meet new waiting times targets for heart patients, latest figures showed today.
The waiting times figures show that the vast majority of cardiac patients are treated within 16 weeks from referral by their GP through a Rapid Access Chest Pain Clinic to treatment.
This is the first time that waiting times figures show progress against this "whole journey" target for cardiac care, which comes into force at the end of December. Patients can now expect to have all their treatment in 16 weeks for this type of cardiac care, where a few years ago it was not uncommon to wait more than a year.
Unveiling the figures today as she visited the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Public Health Minister Shona Robison said she was confident that this tough new target would be met by the end of the year.
Today's figures show continued improvement against the new target in April, May and June this year. The rest of the statistics released today show that the NHS in Scotland is continuing to reduce waiting waiting times for patients.
Ms Robison visited the Cardiology Outpatients Department at the Royal Infirmary, which has seen a number of new developments helping to drive down waiting times.
One scheme sees ECG readings from a patient in an ambulance transmitted directly by the ambulance crew to the hospital where a decision is then made as to whether an angioplasty should be carried out without delay.
Ms Robison said:
"It is extremely good news that patients are now being treated more quickly than ever before for heart conditions. This is making a real difference to the lives of patients and their families and I commend NHS staff for their hard work in achieving this.
"I am encouraged that Boards are making month-on-month improvements in their progress towards meeting the tough 16 week target. This is a significant milestone as it shows us for the first time the true length of time a patient waits between GP referral and treatment.
"I am confident that all boards are on track to meet this target by December this year.
"The new Scottish Government is absolutely committed to making sure that there is transparency in waiting lists and driving down waiting times for all patients."
The Public Health Minister did express concern about the six month waiting time guarantee breaches in Grampian, and stressed that she would expect the specific issue to be resolved as a matter of urgency. She said:
"The waiting time guarantee is there to ensure all patients get the best possible treatment as quickly as possible, so it is a big disappointment when breaches are reported.
"It is clear that the breaches in today's figures are focussed in a specific speciality where a short-term problem has arisen. This is being addressed as a matter of urgency.
"I am clear that there is no systemic problem here, and that the other Boards can take great pride in the strides they have made not only to deliver on waiting time guarantees, but to reduce the overall inpatient/day case waiting list to an all-time low.
"It is also important to recognise good performances in relation to hidden waiting lists - down nearly 30 per-cent on a year ago - and on the drive to see patients attending A&E being treated, transferred or discharged within four hours now at 96 per cent as against 84 per cent in June last year.
"As we get ever closer to the end of 2007 milestone, when many new tougher waiting time targets will come into effect, I am heartened by the excellent progress that is being made across the country, which is a tribute to the hard work by all NHS staff and very good news for patients."