NHS Tayside’s A&E departments are the best in Scotland, according to the latest figures.
They have maintained their position as the best performing mainland board despite the challenges of Covid.
The short waiting times at the Emergency Departments - or EDs - reflect the hard work of teams across Dundee, Perthshire and Angus who deal with more than 35,000 calls a year.
Emergency Medicine spokesman, Dr Andrew Kinnon said: “Patients who present at our EDs with minor illness or injury are assessed early by a senior doctor or nurse to ensure that they do not require emergency care before they are redirected to the most appropriate service.
“This ensures that patients are seen by the best person for their needs and also ensures our specialist staff can see those needing emergency treatment as quickly as possible.
“Prior to the pandemic, around 5-10% of patients attending our ED were redirected to more appropriate services following this assessment.”
And he added: “NHS Tayside operates a highly effective Flow Navigation Centre (FNC) which is staffed by senior ED clinical decision makers who take up to 35,000 calls a year.
“The centre takes calls from Scottish Ambulance Service, Perth Royal Infirmary ED, minor injury units and GPs as well as calls to NHS 24 from patients which are routed to the FNC for assessment.
“All of these measures help us to ensure that patients receive the right care in the right place as quickly as possible and help keep other services in the hospital running smoothly.”
NHS Tayside boss, Professor Grant Archibald, said: “I would like to commend all the teams involved for the exceptional service they deliver, but also to the people of Tayside for everything they continue to do to support us this winter to keep services running.”
- Anyone with a non-life threatening condition who would usually go to A&E should now call NHS 24 on 111 first, day or night, to be directed to the right NHS service.
If your condition is life threatening or you need an ambulance, call 999.
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