GROWING numbers of people are being admitted to hospitals in the Lothians for emergency treatment, new figures have revealed.
The rise in cases is putting added pressure on Edinburgh Royal Infirmary's accident and emergency department, which already sees 9000 patients a month and is by far the busiest in Scotland.
The figures have been rising since 2004, but last year's
increase was sharper than ever.
Scotland has an ageing population and it is no surprise more patients are needing treatment for illnesses and injuries.
But health chiefs are at a loss to explain why they are seeing more younger patients as well.
It is hoped that new GPs contracts to ensure some are available at evenings and weekends will ease pressure on hospital admissions, although many injuries that would require an overnight stay in hospital are too serious to be dealt with in a doctor's surgery.
Dr Charles Swainson, medical director at NHS Lothian, said: "These figures illustrate the hard work by staff to continue to meet expected targets and deliver swift care for our patients despite the most intense pressure, and thanks are due to them for these considerable achievements."
"My colleagues are also working hard on addressing the root causes of rising emergency admissions through increased health advice and support to older people."
Five to 15-year-olds are the only age group not being taken to hospital in increasing numbers.
In 2002, patients were admitted to Lothian hospitals requiring emergency treatment on 63,015 occasions. By last year, that figure had risen to 80,447.
The total number of attendances at A&E – including those who did not have to be admitted to the main hospital – was 209,514, a 14 per cent increase compared to 2004, when it was 183,639.
Despite the rise in cases, NHS Lothian has been successful in hitting waiting time targets set by the Scottish Government, including having patients wait no longer than four hours in A&E.
Although the Royal College of Nursing has welcomed the setting of this target, it is concerned about the pressure on members.
Ellen Hudson, associate director at RCN Scotland, said: "As our survey has found, nine out of ten A&E nurses have felt unduly pressured to meet the four-hour waiting target, and 75 per cent of nurses say patients are regularly admitted to inappropriate wards just to meet the target.
"The report shows there has been a steady increase in admissions for patients over 65, therefore nurses have a crucial part to play in providing care as increasing numbers of frail older people require longer stays in hospital."
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www.nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk•
www.rcn.org.uk •
www.isdscotland.org The full article contains 458 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
