More than 800 deaths from long A&E waits ‘challenging information’ – Swinney

Figures suggesting more than 800 people died last year from long A&E waits is “challenging information”, the First Minister has said.

The Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) – which represents staff in emergency departments across Scotland – has estimated 818 people died last year as a result of having waited more than 12 hours in hospital.

The body used a mortality ratio which estimated one in every 72 long waits would result in death.

John Swinney was pressed on the issue at First Minister’s Questions on Thursday by Labour leader Anas Sarwar, who said: “That is over 800 families grieving a loved one.

“Why, year after year, is this happening under this SNP Government?”

The First Minister expressed his “regret” at deaths in A&E, adding: “I accept that people are waiting too long in A&E, whether it’s on the four-hour, eight-hour or 12-hour waits.

“I would say to Mr Sarwar that the contribution made from the RCEM is challenging information, but the Government welcomes the challenge from the RCEM and we are addressing the issues that the Royal College have put to us.”

The First Minister went on to say that the latest monthly figures for A&E waits – covering July – were “encouraging”, showing the lowest number of 12-hour waits since 2023.

However, the weekly number of 12-hour waits has fluctuated and has remained above 1,000 people per week since mid-July.

Responding, Mr Sarwar accused the Government of a “failure to properly operate our National Health Service”.