Worst A&E waiting times on record

Scotland recorded the worst ever accident and emergency waiting times in the first week of the year, NHS figures reveal.

Almost a third (32.6%) of the 21,163 patients attending A&E waited more than four hours before being admitted, transferred or discharged.

The Scottish Government’s target of 95% of patients being attended to within four hours has not been met since July 2020 and the 67.4% seen in that time during the week ending January 9 is the lowest ever recorded.

Of the 6,902 patients who waited longer than four hours, 2,079 waited more than eight hours and 690 waited more than 12 hours at A&E.

Responding to the figures, Scottish Conservative health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane said: “These worst-ever A&E stats are a shameful indictment of Humza Yousaf ’s inept stewardship of Scotland’s NHS.

“The tragic reality is that these delays lead to needless loss of life.”

Scottish Labour’s health spokeswoman, Jackie Baillie, said: “This is a deeply worrying development and it is clear that thousands of lives are being put in danger.”

Responding to the figures, Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said the week was “undoubtedly one of the most challenging the NHS has ever faced”.

He added: “Today’s figures have undoubtedly been impacted by Omicronrelated staff absences, with health boards reporting a 31% increase in coronavirus absence compared with the previous week.

“Although the next few weeks will undoubtedly continue to be challenging, I would expect to see an improvement in performance...in the weeks ahead.”