EXCLUSIVE: NHS Lanarkshire’s performance on GP numbers and accident and emergency waiting times have been blasted by Labour MP Imogen Walker.
SNP Health Secretary Neil Gray has been accused of “shameful” NHS failures in his own backyard.
NHS Lanarkshire is either bottom of the league or under-performing on GP numbers and accident and emergency waits.
Labour MP Imogen Walker said: “Neil Gray is the Cabinet Secretary responsible and this is happening in the very communities he represents. He must know what is happening, so why won’t he act?”
The SNP Government is under mounting pressure over patients languishing on waiting lists and the 8am rush for a GP appointment.
First Minister John Swinney has ploughed extra cash into cutting waiting lists while announcing new GP walk in centres.
But an analysis of official figures shows that NHS Lanarkshire, which serves Gray’s Airdrie and Shotts constituency, is one of the biggest stragglers.
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As of March last year, the health board had the lowest number of full-time GPs in Scotland for every 10,000 patients.
The Lanarkshire figure stood at 4.4, lower than the thirteen other NHS boards and below the average of 5.9.
A survey on patient satisfaction for GP services, covering 2023/24, also revealed NHS Lanarkshire with the worst record.
When patients were asked how easy it is to contact their general practice in the way they wanted, only 59% of respondents in NHS Lanarkshire reacted positively.
This was the lowest of fourteen NHS boards, with every other organisation recording over 70% or more.
Fewer than one third – 32% – said their GP surgery allows them to make a doctor’s appointment three or more working days in advance, the worst positive figure for a board.
NHS Lanarkshire was also bottom when asked about GP opening hours, the quality of information provided by receptionists and the arrangements for speaking to a doctor or nurse.
In response, the board pointed to separate figures showing the GP consultation rate slightly above the national average over the last 12 months.
On accident and emergency services, NHS Scotland aims to have 95% of patients seen, admitted, discharged, or transferred within four hours.
Papers show NHS Lanarkshire reported a 51% performance in December – significantly below the national average.
Imogen Walker, MP for Hamilton and Clyde Valley, said of the record in Gray’s own patch: “After 19 years with the SNP in power, their record on health care speaks for itself. Hospitals are at breaking point, we do not have enough GPs, and my constituents are paying the price for years of failure.
“Many are living with painful conditions, unable to see a doctor, or feeling they have no choice but to pay privately. Some of the cases I deal with are heartbreaking, and the SNP Government will not admit the depth of the problem, let alone find a solution.
“The Scottish Government receives 20% more funding per person than the rest of the UK and has had billions more for healthcare. While waiting lists in England under the UK Labour government continue to fall, the SNP is failing Scots on every measure.
“While dedicated NHS staff work tirelessly, the Scottish Government continues to defend a shameful record. I will not stop working to get my constituents the health care they deserve.”
Dr Lucy Munro, NHS Lanarkshire Divisional Medical Director, said: “NHS Lanarkshire recognises the significant pressures facing health and care services, including workforce challenges in general practice, high demand in emergency departments and long waits for some services.
“Despite the workforce position, our clinical teams in general practice continue to strive to meet patient access needs, with a GP consultation rate slightly above the national average over the last 12 months.
“We are taking action to increase capacity through multidisciplinary primary care teams, improve patient flow in hospitals, and redesign pathways to reduce waiting times, including for neurodevelopmental assessments. Our staff continue to work tirelessly in extremely challenging circumstances and we remain committed to improving access, experience and outcomes for patients across Lanarkshire.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Long waits have come down for over the last eight months, including in NHS Lanarkshire. We are working closely with NHS Lanarkshire as they take forward the action needed to improve A&E performance, including strengthening patient assessment on arrival to A&E and ensuring the right support is in place after discharge.
“Our half a billion pounds deal with GPs will improve access and ensure more investment goes into primary care – our new network of walk-in clinics, including one in Clydesdale, will boost capacity and reduce pressure.”