A total of 151 patients faced waits of more than 12 hours at an Ayrshire A&E department before being admitted, transferred or discharged.
New figures, from Public Health Scotland, also show that 259 patients waited more than eight hours.
Now two MSPs have called out new Health Secretary, Michael Matheson, and told him to make a reduction of the figures a ‘top priority.’
The figures from Public Health Scotland were published last week and cover the week ending April 9.
They also show that just 66 per cent of patients at an Ayrshire A&E were treated within four hours- way short of the Scottish Government’s own target of 95 per cent.
South Scotland Labour List MSP, Colin Smyth, described the figures as a “real worry.”
He said: “The terrible fact remains that our NHS is in crisis, with thousands waiting too long for treatment.
“Patient and staff wellbeing is still at risk, lives are being lost and delayed discharge is at breaking point.
“The Scottish Government must do all it can to stop this crisis once and for all.
“They must also invest further in primary care and tackle illnesses before they get serious. Health inequalities are widening under the SNP’s watch, and they must tackle this issue head on.”
South Scotland Conservative List MSP Sharon Dowey also waded into the debate.
She said: “Now that Michael Matheson has taken over as Health Secretary, we need to see him put far more effort into the job than Humza Yousaf.
“The SNP Government has consistently missed its target to get 95 per cent of people seen within four hours in our emergency departments, and patients deserve better than this.
“On top of that, hundreds of people are continuing to wait above 8 and 12 hours to be seen at A&E.
“It must be Michael Matheson’s top priority to reduce these waiting times and support NHS Ayrshire & Arran in their efforts to treat people at A&E.
“Otherwise, the new SNP Health Secretary will achieve no more than his predecessor – and patients can’t afford to put up with these waiting times any longer.”
Health Secretary Michael Matheson said: “We are supporting Health Boards as they continue to manage the significant pressure that remains on services right across the health and social care system.
“This week we have seen a 31.7 per cent decrease in the number of patients waiting longer than 12 hours in A&E, this is welcome and down to the hard work of staff in our emergency departments. I am grateful to all health and social care staff for their outstanding effort in the face of this sustained pressure.
“Hospital bed occupancy continues to be a major factor impacting performance. We are increasing NHS 24 staffing and providing up to £8 million to Boards to help alleviate pressure from delayed discharge.
“As part of our nationwide approach, patients who no longer need to be in hospital are being urgently reassessed and those clinically safe to be discharged will be safely moved home or to an interim placement in a care home – freeing up beds for those most in need.”
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