NHS Highland Faces A&E Crisis with 60,000 Patients Affected

Almost 60,000 patients in the Highland region have faced delays exceeding four hours in Accident and Emergency (A&E) since the Scottish Government’s four-hour target was last met over four years ago. New data released by the Scottish Liberal Democrats highlights an ongoing crisis in NHS Highland, prompting calls for urgent action from local political candidates.

The Scottish Government aims for 95 percent of A&E patients to be seen and either admitted, transferred, or discharged within four hours. Unfortunately, this target has not been achieved in the Highlands since the week of May 9, 2021, translating to a staggering 219 weeks without meeting this crucial benchmark.

According to the Liberal Democrats’ analysis, 59,489 individuals waited four hours or more during this period. Alarmingly, an additional 14,000 patients endured waits exceeding twelve hours, while 5,299 waited longer than eight hours. This situation has raised serious concerns about the capacity and efficiency of A&E services across Scotland.

In February, the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, which sets standards for A&E departments, emphasized the need for a “whole system approach” to address these challenges. This call for comprehensive reform came as reports surfaced about NHS services facing overwhelming pressure. Notably, Raigmore Hospital declared a “code black” on 104 days in the year leading up to March 31, 2023. This designation indicates that one or more services have reached full capacity, potentially resulting in cancelled operations and appointments.

Local candidates from the Scottish Liberal Democrats are vocal about the dire state of A&E services. Neil Alexander, the party’s candidate for Inverness and Nairn, stated, “A&E services in the Highlands have been in trouble for years. Staff are stuck working under pressure cooker conditions, and patients are stuck waiting hours for vital care.” He criticized the Scottish National Party (SNP) for failing to resolve these ongoing issues and urged voters to consider the Liberal Democrats in the upcoming elections.

Similarly, David Green, the candidate for Caithness, Sutherland, and Ross, expressed concern over the current state of A&E waiting times. “Our doctors and nurses are working extremely hard to provide the best possible care, but they are not being given the resources they need,” he remarked. Green highlighted the extensive distances many patients must travel to reach A&E facilities, further complicating the situation.

Health Secretary Neil Gray acknowledged the ongoing challenges during a recent statement, admitting that some patients are “waiting too long for treatment.” Despite the difficulties, he insisted the Scottish Government is “determined to drive improvements.” Gray noted that emergency departments across the UK are experiencing similar pressures, but emphasized the government’s commitment to enhancing A&E services.

To address these issues, the Scottish Government is investing £200 million to reduce waiting times, boost capacity, and improve patient flow through hospitals. Additionally, plans are underway to shift the balance of care from acute settings to community services. By summer 2025, the government aims to provide direct access to specialist frailty teams in every emergency department and expand the “Hospital at Home” initiative to at least 2,000 beds by the end of 2026.

The situation in NHS Highland reflects a broader struggle within the Scottish healthcare system, where rising demands and insufficient resources are leading to significant delays and increasing patient dissatisfaction. As local candidates advocate for systemic changes, the pressure mounts on the Scottish Government to deliver results and restore confidence in A&E services.