Under two-thirds seen within four-hour target at A&E, latest figures show

Less than two-thirds of patients in accident and emergency units were seen within the four-hour target time in the most recent week, figures show.

Data released by Public Health Scotland on Tuesday shows 62.1% of attendances in the week to January 18 were seen and subsequently admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours, up from 59% the previous week.

The Scottish Government aims to ensure 95% of people are seen within that time – a target which has not been hit since the early months of the pandemic.

Of those who attended A&E in the most recent week, 8.5% waited longer than 12 hours – down from 10.7% – while 16.3% waited more than eight hours, a reduction from 19.2%.

Scottish Conservative health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane said: “These horrific waiting times expose an NHS teetering on the brink after decades of SNP mismanagement.

“These aren’t abstract statistics – they’re real people whose lives are being put at risk, and in some cases needlessly lost, because they are stuck in overcrowded emergency departments for hours on end.

“Frontline staff are knocking their pan in for patients, but they’ve been failed by (former health secretary) Humza Yousaf’s flimsy recovery plan and years of dire SNP workforce planning.”

Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “Our A&E departments are facing sustained pressures, including boards reporting high levels of hospital occupancy impacting on patient flow and leading to delays at the front door.

“This situation is not unique to Scotland, with all other UK nations experiencing similar pressures, but I am working closely with our health boards to make sure improvements are made quickly and effectively.

“To support winter activity, we are providing up to £20 million to fund increased social care and reduce pressure on the hospital front door, to make sure people get the right care in the right place.

“This includes funding for care at home and extra staffing to support emergency departments.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said the NHS is “stuck in a state of permanent crisis”.

He added: “Waiting times have remained extreme for years now, and half-day waits have gone from a rarity to a common occurrence.

“A&E departments are backed up because there are so many people who are stuck in hospital and unable to leave because the care package they need is not available.

“You cannot fix the NHS and bring down A&E waits without fixing social care.”