A&E patient numbers highest since Covid pandemic started

The number of people attending hospital accident and emergency units at end of May was the highest since the coronavirus pandemic began in Scotland.

The latest NHS figures show 26,115 Scots turned up at A&E in the week to 30 May.

This was the most since the final week of February 2020, when the first cases of Covid where discovered.

In the first month of the pandemic, A&E patient numbers plummeted to a record low of 11,059.

Attendances gradually increased to a summer high of 24,050 in mid-August, before dropping back below 16,000 in January during the second wave of Covid-19, when restrictions were at their strictest.

• A&E changes aim to send patients to 'best care'

But since the end of January, A&E attendances have increased in all but four weeks.

The latest Public Health Scotland figures show that in the week to 30 May 85.7.% of patients were seen and admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours, below the Scottish government target of 95%.

They also show 410 patients spent more than eight hours waiting to be seen at an A&E department, while a further 109 patients waited longer than 12 hours.

'Most appropriate care'

A Scottish government spokeswoman said: "The Covid pandemic has inevitably affected A&E attendance. But as restrictions begin to relax we are seeing a rise in non-Covid attendances and admissions.

"We are encouraging people to consider options closer to home, by seeking medical advice online at NHS Inform, by calling NHS 24, their GP practice, or by contacting their local pharmacy who can also help and prescribe treatment."

She added: "The health secretary has committed to produce a detailed NHS Recovery Plan within the first 100 days of the new administration. This will set out in detail how we intend to meet our ambition of reducing waiting times.

"A key component will be the Redesign of Urgent Care Programme which aims to ensure people are seen safely and to help the public access the right care in the right place at the right time.

"This national change to urgent care will help make sure A&E provides the fastest and most appropriate care for people when they really need it."