Statement: NHS Lanarkshire A&E departments

Central Scotland MSP, Monica Lennon said: “The fact that NHS Lanarkshire, already in Code Black, has today urged people not to attend its three A&E departments is a loud and clear call for immediate action from the Scottish Government.

“It is unacceptable that Lanarkshire residents are being told not to attend A&E unless life-threatening.

“It is unacceptable that the emergency department waiting time today is more than 12 hours.

“It is unacceptable that health board staff are being run ragged in these conditions.

“The risk to patients and staff is off the scale – the Scottish Government must act now to support a health board clearly on its knees.

“Humza Yousaf, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, must now lead an urgent summit into the NHS Lanarkshire crisis affecting my constituents – we need to do whatever it takes to get our health services out of danger.”