Calendar An icon of a desk calendar. Cancel An icon of a circle with a diagonal line across. Caret An icon of a block arrow pointing to the right. Email An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of the Facebook "f" mark. Google An icon of the Google "G" mark. Linked In An icon of the Linked In "in" mark. Logout An icon representing logout. Profile An icon that resembles human head and shoulders. Telephone An icon of a traditional telephone receiver. Tick An icon of a tick mark. Is Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes. Is Not Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes with a diagonal line through it. Pause Icon A two-lined pause icon for stopping interactions. Quote Mark A opening quote mark. Quote Mark A closing quote mark. Arrow An icon of an arrow. Folder An icon of a paper folder. Breaking An icon of an exclamation mark on a circular background. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Caret An icon of a caret arrow. Clock An icon of a clock face. Close An icon of the an X shape. Close Icon An icon used to represent where to interact to collapse or dismiss a component Comment An icon of a speech bubble. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Ellipsis An icon of 3 horizontal dots. Envelope An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Home An icon of a house. Instagram An icon of the Instagram logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. Magnifying Glass An icon of a magnifying glass. Search Icon A magnifying glass icon that is used to represent the function of searching. Menu An icon of 3 horizontal lines. Hamburger Menu Icon An icon used to represent a collapsed menu. Next An icon of an arrow pointing to the right. Notice An explanation mark centred inside a circle. Previous An icon of an arrow pointing to the left. Rating An icon of a star. Tag An icon of a tag. Twitter An icon of the Twitter logo. Video Camera An icon of a video camera shape. Speech Bubble Icon A icon displaying a speech bubble WhatsApp An icon of the WhatsApp logo. Information An icon of an information logo. Plus A mathematical 'plus' symbol. Duration An icon indicating Time. Success Tick An icon of a green tick. Success Tick Timeout An icon of a greyed out success tick. Loading Spinner An icon of a loading spinner. Facebook Messenger An icon of the facebook messenger app logo. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Facebook Messenger An icon of the Twitter app logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. WhatsApp Messenger An icon of the Whatsapp messenger app logo. Email An icon of an mail envelope. Copy link A decentered black square over a white square.

NHS Fife boss claims people going to A&E when they don’t need to

NHS Fife boss Claire Dobson.
NHS Fife boss Claire Dobson.

People going to A&E when they could be seen elsewhere is “undoubtedly a factor” in long waiting times, an NHS Fife health boss claims.

Emergency departments across the country, including the region, have come under fire for performance.

We asked Claire Dobson, director of acute services at NHS Fife, why it’s still so busy and what’s being done to prepare ahead of the busy winter period.

Fife’s A&E times are causing concern. Image: DC Thomson.

In the week ending November 13, Fife again fell short of the four-hour standard.

That’s the national target that 95% of all patients should be admitted, discharged or transferred within four hours of arrival at an A&E department.

Across Scotland the figure was 65.3% with Fife’s sitting at 59.1%, lower than the previous week.

And in addition:

  • 538 waited over 4 hours.
  • 172 waited over 8 hours.
  • 35 waited over 12 hours.

We asked Ms Dobson if the figures point to more people going to A&E with less serious issues.

‘Undoubtedly a factor’

She said: “It is true we are continuing to see many people presenting at our emergency department with less serious issues.

“They could either have been more appropriately seen elsewhere, or in some cases did not need to be seen by a clinician.

“While inappropriate presentations are not the sole reason for longer waiting times, they are undoubtedly a factor.

“As we’ve said previously, it’s vital we prioritise those at greatest need clinically.

“Those who need the most urgent attention receive this quickly.

Right care. Right place.For practical advice on common health conditions and ailments and information on where to access the right care your healthcarevisit: www.nhsinform.scot/self-help-guides

Posted by NHS Fife on Friday, 18 November 2022

“Unfortunately, that does mean those who attend with less serious issues will likely have to wait longer.”

What else makes it so busy?

There is significant pressure on the whole of the healthcare system at the moment.

But Ms Dobson explains there’s a number of factors why A&E is still incredibly busy.

These include:

  • An increase in the number of people going – some days they see as many as 300 people.
  • More who are acutely unwell or frail – they need a great level of care and will be in for longer.
  • Demands on inpatient beds across the acute hospital mean delays for patients waiting to be admitted to a ward from the emergency department.

Will it get busier as winter goes on?

Although planning for winter goes on all year round across the health and care system, 2022 is expected to be a busy one.

Ms Dobson says: “It’s important to say we expect this coming winter to be more challenging than we have ever faced.”

NHS fife covid visitors visiting
Winter is historically a busy time. Image: DC Thomson.

Before the pandemic a ‘surge ward’ would open to give bed capacity over winter and close in Spring.

Those additional beds, she explains, have been required throughout this whole year because of unprecedented demand.

Why is winter busier?

A major factor is due to the seasonal rise in respiratory viruses like flu.

It not only lead to more hospitalisations, but can also cause ward closures and increased staff sickness.

Rates of flu have been lower recently because of Covid restrictions like face coverings and social distancing.

Getting vaccinated plays a part. Image: DC Thomson.

But Ms Dobson adds: “There are early signs we will see much greater prevalence this winter, as has evidenced in the southern hemisphere during their recent winter.

“The public in Fife have a vital role to play in helping reduce additional and unnecessary pressures on our hospitals.

“By taking measures like using the emergency department responsibly and avoiding visiting loved ones in hospital when you are unwell.

“Taking up the offer of Covid and flu vaccination when it is offered too, all contribute towards making our hospitals safer and helps us protect vulnerable patients in our care.”

Conversation