Murdo says newly installed First Minster Humza Yousaf leaves a “shameful record” in his previous post as Health Minister, with A & E waiting times at their worst level in Fife since early January.
He slammed Mr Yousaf for “failing to address” a litany of problems in Scotland’s health service but highlighted how bad the situation is for people who need to attend the Kingdom’s A & E department at Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy.
Figures from Public Health Scotland show that the percentage of people in Fife waiting to be seen within the SNP Government target of four hours plummeted to 53.9 (for the week ending March 19) - the worst since the week ending January 8, when it was 53.1%.
The statistics for the number of people waiting longer than four hours also increased for the week ending March 19. The number waiting more than four hours rose from 372 (for week ending March 12) to 595; the number waiting more than eight hours rose from 139 to 228, and the number waiting more than 12 hours rose from 36 to 54 in this period.
Commenting, Murdo Fraser MSP said: “These figures are truly awful and leave a shameful record for the outgoing Health Minister. He has failed to address a series of problems in our health service.
“The poor A & E waiting times for Fife have consistently been bad but the latest figures are very concerning as they are at their worst since January 8 and show no signs of improving. That combined with the increase in patients in Fife waiting more than four hours, and even more than 12 in some cases, is diabolical to be honest.
“This demonstrates that while the new First Minister was busy campaigning during the SNP leadership contest or on the TV telling the nation his main aim is to get independence, people in Fife – and across Scotland – were having to wait unnecessarily long hours to be seen at A & E departments, with some patients possibly suffering pain in the process.”
Murdo continued: “Areas like health should be Humza Yousaf’s main priority now he is First Minister - not trying to break up the United Kingdom or wasting time and money fighting the UK Government over their decision to block the controversial Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill. All we heard from him in his first speech to the Scottish Parliament were soundbites drawn up by his Spads (Civil Servants). We need action, not talk, to address the many problems in our health service at this moment.”
