Paisley's floundering hospital has racked up its worst ever performance against national targets.
The situation at the Royal Alexandra is getting "worse not better", as new figures reveal another slump in A&E waiting times.
Records show that the hospital recorded its worst ever A&E waits last week, when just 58.2 per cent of patients were dealt with within four hour targets.
Despite a fall in the number attending the hospital's emergency department - 988 patients passed through A&E, down from 1,144 the previous week - waiting times rocketed.
Now MSP Neil Bibby has spoken of the worrying slump, saying: "These figures are deeply concerning. The situation appears to be getting worse not better. "Pressures are increasing on already over-stretched staff. The Scottish Government are clearly not on top of the A&E crisis. Staff have been warning for months that this would happen. It is beyond time the Health Secretary not only listened to our dedicated NHS staff but took the action needed to support them and local patients.
The Paisley-based West of Scotland Labour politician, added: "It is clear the pressure on our NHS is huge. Local RAH staff continue to tell me that building back GP services and fixing health and social care is essential to ease the pressure.
"There urgently needs to be plan for recovery that works, and every measure should be considered including if necessary drawing on emergency resources like the UK Armed Forces.”
The hospital had recorded its previous worst performance against targets three weeks ago, when 62.3 per cent of those who attended for emergency treatment were seen within the parameters of the Scottish Government's four hour target to be treated, admitted, transferred or discharged.
That marked the worst figure recorded since available records began in February 2015.
It rose slightly to 65.2 per cent then slumped again to below 60 per cent in the latest data.
A whopping 78 patients waited more than 12 hours for treatment, admission, transfer or discharge in the week up until October 17 - well up on the previous week's 41.
Some 186 patients waited more than eight hours, while 413 waited more than four.
Health chiefs last week said their A&E departments were being stretched by patients who did not need emergency treatment attending with minor complaints, such as rashes, dental pain and sore throats.
A spokesman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: "The Royal Alexandra Hospital alongside all of our acute hospitals, is facing significant challenges as a result of COVID-19 at what remains an unprecedented period.
"In keeping with COVID-19 safety measures, during this period eight wards at the RAH were closed to new admissions, impacting on waiting times at our Emergency Departments. Closing Wards to new admissions allows for enhanced cleaning and separating positive COVID-19 patients from others. Staff continue to adhere to strict PPE guidelines during this time and all staff on the ward undergo regular screening for COVID-19 as part of a strict testing regime."
He added: "At the Royal Alexandra Hospital, and at all Emergency Departments across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, patients who need the most urgent care continue to be seen most quickly.
"We accept that, as is the case across Scotland, many people are facing a long wait, and we’re very sorry for that. We are doing what we can to address this issue. Our thanks go to our staff who are working extremely hard to treat patients as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, our Emergency Departments are still seeing people who do not need to be there, with common inappropriate presentations including period pain, dental pain, urinary tract infections, sore throat (less than one day) and rashes.
"We would urge everyone that, unless their condition is life-threatening, they should not attend an Emergency Department."
And he urged patients to use other services, saying: "Please remember that our partner GP surgeries across the Board area are open, and continue to provide great care for their communities. Pharmacies also have expert knowledge and can advise on minor ailments, or give simple healthcare advice."
NHS24 is on hand to offer assistance, by dialling 111.
