People are being reminded to avoid A&E where possible as waiting times at the Royal Alexandra Hospital hit another high.
The most recent data for the Paisley hospital shows just over half of the people who attended the emergency department were seen within the required four hours.
Figures released by Public Health Scotland show that in the week ending March 26, only 54.9 per cent of patients were treated and admitted or discharged within that time frame.
It is the worst recorded waiting time since early January. Of the 1,046 people who attended, 210 people waited more than eight hours to be seen and 85 waited for than 12 hours.
Scottish Government targets demand 95 per cent of people attending A&E are seen within four hours.
The Express understands rising cases of Covid-19 in the community and delayed discharges are contributing to patient flow throughout the hospital.
The figures come as NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde continues to urge people to use its virtual A&E clinic to avoid lengthy
waits. Reminding people that A&E is for life-threatening emergencies only, the health board says there is a host of other ways to secure urgent medical care.
The virtual A&E clinic – also known as the Flow Navigation Centre –will be operating over the Easter break offering video or telephone consultations with emergency care practitioners.
Accessible by calling NHS 24 on 111, the virtual A&E team provides advice and treatment on a vast range of illnesses and injuries within one hour.
Minor injuries units will also be operating over the weekend. Dr Scott Davidson, deputy medical director for acute services at NHSGGC, said: “As with all public holidays, Easter is a particularly busy time for our A&E staff.
“It’s important for everyone to consider how they use the emergency services.
“If it’s not life-threatening, please consider an alternative to physical A&E such as the Flow Navigation Centre.
“The service has overwhelmingly positive feedback for our patients who benefit from treatment at home and appointed follow-ups where required, which frees up our A&E staff to look after patients who have life-threatening illnesses.”
Following their consultation 40 per cent of all patients who speak to the Flow Navigation Centre team avoid a physical trip to an A&E or minor injuries altogether, while others receive a scheduled appointment, helping reduce waiting time at hospital.
The remainder are either referred directly through to specialist services for their conditions, bypassing A&E, or, are signposted to a more appropriate service.
More information about the Virtual A&E is on the NHS website, which also includes a video walk through of the service.
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