Anger as RAH patients have to wait eight hours

under- resourced and underpressure.

“That should come as a stark warning. Get behind our NHS staff now, and give them the resources they need.”

A spokeswoman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde apologised to patients who experienced lengthy waits.

She said: “Our hospitals have been very busy and frontline teams at our four emergency departments are reporting an increased number of patients requiring admission.

“We accept that a number of our patients at the Royal Alexandra Hospital waited longer than we would have hoped due to a high level of demand, and we apologise to those patients who experienced lengthy waits.

“At this busy time we are reminding people to use their emergency services appropriately and only to use emergency departments for serious injuries and major emergencies.

“Our minor injuries units at Stobhill, Victoria and Vale of Leven Hospitals are the best place for the rapid treatment of minor injuries, including sprains and cuts and broken bones.

“For minor ailments, patients should go to their pharmacy.”

She added: “We are launching a campaign to highlight this as we approach the festive season.

“Our staff continue to work hard to ensure patients attending all our hospitals are admitted to a bed or discharged as quickly as possible.”

The figures follow a survey of nurses by the Royal College of Nursing which found 61 per cent of staff felt unable to provide patients with the level of care they need.

More than a third of nurses who responded to the national survey said they were looking for a new job.