Perth Royal Infirmary A&E patient 'asked if she is Scottish or British'

The mother-of-two, who’s English nonetheless has lived in Scotland for virtually 20 years, took to social media to elucidate the encounter, writing: “Can anybody clarify why that query is related in that scenario? Would I’ve been seen sooner if I’d stated Scottish?”“The unhappy factor is, I did pause barely earlier than answering British as a result of it made me fear I might be seen as much less vital for therapy and it’s terrible that I needed to even assume that.”The Scottish Conservatives slammed the “irrelevant” line of questioning.Responding to the suggestions, NHS Tayside said victims don't have to reply the question, which is required to help “cut back well being inequalities” in Scotland.A spokesperson said: “Sufferers turning up at A&E would hardly depend on to then be requested questions over their nationality.“A&E companies are already beneath sufficient stress with out these irrelevant questions being requested of sufferers.”A nicely being board spokesperson suggested the Scottish Each day Categorical: “This info is required by Public Well being Scotland to be submitted for all unscheduled care attendances. The ethnic group decisions are specified by Public Heath Scotland. Sufferers even have the exact to refuse to answer the question.“The intention of the gathering of this data is to know if public nicely being firms are delivered equitably and assist us to cut back nicely being inequalities in Scotland.“Any analysis of this info received’t set up victims.“Sufferers attending our Emergency Departments are at all times seen in response to their medical want, no matter their ethnicity.”