Waiting list figures are scandal despite drop in waits, says Scottish Labour

Scottish Labour have said new NHS waiting list figures are a “scandal” despite a decrease in waits.

On December 31 2025, there were an estimated 595,591 individuals on at least one new outpatient, inpatient or day case waiting list.

The number of ongoing waits decreased by 2.9% at the end of the month to 517,415 compared to the end of November and by 8.2% compared to 31 December 2024.

With 517,415 patients on an outpatient waiting list; and 156,314 on an inpatient waiting list; and the latest figures for the total waiting list size for diagnostic tests at 146,005; the number of Scots on a waiting list is 819,734.

Scottish Labour Health spokesperson Dame Jackie Baillie said: “No matter how this complacent SNP Government tries to spin it, these figures are a scandal.

“Hundreds of thousands of Scots are languishing on NHS waiting lists for help they desperately need – many of them waiting for years on end.

“There are nearly 820,000 ongoing waits across inpatient, outpatient and diagnostic waiting lists in Scotland.

“On the SNP’s watch there are thousands of waits of over two years, compared to a few hundred in England.

“The SNP’s litany of targets lie in tatters – it’s clear they have no idea to get our NHS back on track.

“We have three months to save our NHS by electing a Scottish Labour government that will deliver a real plan to tackle this waiting list emergency.”

Scottish Government targets state 95% of new outpatients should wait no longer than 12 weeks from referral to being seen.

However, by the end of 2025, there were 293,643 patients on an outpatient waiting list of more than 12 weeks. Which is 43.2% of patients.

It has also promised that, by March, no one will wait over a year to see an NHS specialist or to start treatment.

The number of waits of more than 52 weeks had reduced to 37,930 by December 31 2025, a decrease of 6,916 compared to the end of November.

Of these, 3,882 waits had exceeded two years, down 1,671 from the end of November.

Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “Reducing delayed discharges remains a key priority for this Government. We’re investing £2 billion in social care and integration – an increase of over £1 billion since 2021-22 – delivering on our commitment to increase social care spending by 25% this Parliament, two years ahead of schedule.

“97% of hospital discharges happen without delay. Our plan to reduce delays further is backed by over £220 million to help boards tackle waiting list backlogs, improve capacity and address blockages. This includes up to £20 million to bolster social care and ease pressure at A&E.

“A joined-up approach with local government is essential. Through the Collaborative Response and Assurance Group, the Scottish Government and Cosla are working together to review performance and drive improvements across the system.”

Mr Gray has also announced extra funding of up to £20 million is being made available to health boards for the current year.