GOOD NEWS FOR SCOTLAND’S PATIENTS AS NHS HITS TARGETS.

GOOD NEWS FOR SCOTLAND’S PATIENTS AS NHS HITS TARGETS.

SNP MSP Dr Ian McKee today welcomed the news that key NHS waiting targets are being met with 99.9% of outpatients receiving treatment within 12 weeks and delayed discharges reduced to zero.

The figures released today show that delayed discharges are at zero for the second time after the target was first reached in 2008, with a record low number of people having to wait for discharge from hospital.

Outpatient figures show 99.9% of outpatients receive treatment within 12 weeks and 99.7% of people receive inpatient/daycase treatment within 12 weeks - beating the current target of 15 weeks and well ahead of schedule to meet a 12 week treatment target by March 2010.

Welcoming today’s figures SNP MSP and former GP Ian McKee said;

“Today’s results are excellent news for patients and the NHS alike and show the SNP is meeting our commitment to improve health care.

“There is always more work to be done to improve the experience of patients in our NHS but today’s improvements are the result of hard work and effort by NHS staff who must be praised for their contribution.

“However we must all ensure these standards are maintained and patients experience of the NHS continues to improve.

“Waiting for treatment is frustrating not just for patients but for their Doctors too. As a former GP I know the distress delay can cause and the work that has gone in to achieve these results.

“Similarly waiting to leave hospital is as frustrating as waiting to get in and seeing the number of people waiting for discharge cut from over 2,000 people waiting more than six weeks in 2001 to no one waiting more than six weeks under the SNP in 2009 is a real achievement for the NHS, local authorities and all those in ensuring the best care for Scotland’s patients.”