Angela Constance visited University Hospital Crosshouse this morning for private crisis talks over A&E waiting times, meeting senior staff and management behind closed doors.
Government chiefs said the Health Secretary met NHS and ambulance bosses in response to growing pressures on services and waiting times for patients.
Visit follows Julie Parker death
The visit came after the death of Kilmarnock woman Julie Parker, who suffered a cardiac arrest on her way to Crosshouse Hospital last month. Police found her collapsed in her bathroom, but almost four hours passed before an ambulance arrived.
Ambulance chiefs said staff faced lengthy hospital turnaround times. Julie's brother, William, insisted Government ministers should "hang their heads in shame" over the waiting times crisis, and accused Constance of "passing the buck" to the ambulance service after she pledged to meet the family following a "full and immediate review" of the case.
Constance: Direct action under way
Speaking after the visit, Constance said: "I am acutely aware of the concern that local people have about recent pressures at University Hospital Crosshouse, particularly around ambulance handover delays and waiting times at A&E.
"Both the Scottish Government and NHS Ayrshire & Arran fully recognise the impact these delays can have on patients, families and frontline staff. This is not simply an issue within A&E itself, but one that affects the whole health and care system, particularly where delays in discharge reduce the availability of hospital beds and create pressure throughout the patient pathway.
"That is why we are taking direct action. NHS Ayrshire & Arran are working closely with the Scottish Ambulance Service and Health and Social Care Partnerships on a series of immediate actions that will improve patient flow through the system.
"The aim is to ensure patients receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time; that people who are well enough to leave hospital can do so safely and promptly; and that emergency departments and ambulance crews have the capacity they need to respond quickly when people need urgent care.
"In addition, we are committed to publishing a national hospital flow plan within the first 100 days of this government to drive sustained improvement across Scotland.
"I will continue to monitor progress closely and work with local partners to ensure that we deliver on this ambition – ensuring the people of Ayrshire see meaningful improvements in local services."
NHS Ayrshire & Arran response
Professor Gordon James, Chief Executive for NHS Ayrshire & Arran, added: "We welcomed the visit today from the Health Secretary in recognition of the challenges that increased demand can create across the health and care system.
"We are taking proactive action with our partners to address these pressures. By working closely with the Scottish Ambulance Service and our Health and Social Care Partnerships, we are identifying solutions, improving patient flow and reducing avoidable delays wherever possible.
"This collaborative approach is helping us make the best use of available capacity across hospital and community services, while ensuring patients continue to receive safe, effective care."
