Fife A&E times are ‘notably better’ but still below target
PERFORMANCE statistics for the Accident and Emergency service in
Fife are “notably better” but still saw 233 people wait more than eight hours in July.
The latest figures are down slightly from the previous report, but remain above the current national average.
As of July, 76 per cent of patients at the emergency department at the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy were seen within four hours a decrease from June’s top performance but still better than the national average.
A report stated: “The number of eight-hour breaches decreased from 311 in June to 233 in July and 12-hour breaches decreased from 59 in June to 10 in July.
“These figures are notably better than breaches reported in July 2022 (589 for eight hours; 125 for 12 hours).”
Since 2007 the target set by the Scottish Government is for 95 per cent of A&E patients to be seen and subsequently admitted, discharged or transferred within four hours.
Across the country for July, 72.7 per cent of patients were seen within that window.
The past two years have been especially difficult and NHS Fife hit rock bottom in December 2022 when just 63.2 per cent of emergency patients were seen within four hours.
The performance has mostly been improving since then.
The report stated: “The overall attendances at the Victoria Hospital emergency department continue to be higher than attendances at the start of the year and the number of admissions remains at an average of 33 per cent.
“Flow through the hospital has been supported with a weekend discharge team which has improved overall opening positions on Mondays.
“Challenges remain when occupancy of the emergency department is high, impacting on available assessment space resulting in increased waits for first assessment.
“Work continues for redirection and increased use of the rapid triage unit for clinically appropriate patients.”
A&E statistics are released once a month through Public Health Scotland and they are reported to the NHS Fife board at bi-monthly meetings.