Renfrewshire South MSP says A&E waiting times are at lowest level in two years

Renfrewshire South MSP Tom Arthur has welcomed new figures which show accident and emergency waiting times in Scotland have improved.

According to official data from Public Health Scotland, 71.1% of the 140,820 patients who attended A&E in July were seen and either admitted, transferred or discharged within the four-hour target.

SNP representatives say the number of patients waiting longer than eight or twelve hours is now at its lowest level in almost two years, despite July being one of the busiest months for A&E attendances.

The Scottish Government has pledged record investment in health services, including £200 million to help reduce delays, improve hospital flow and minimise discharges being held up.

Tom Arthur MSP said the improvements were good news for local communities: “Under the SNP, Scotland’s A&E departments have consistently outperformed those in England and Wales over the past decade.

“With the twin challenges of Covid and Brexit, our NHS has endured significant pressures, but we are determined to ensure it works for everyone who needs it. That’s why we are continuing to invest to reduce waiting times and keep healthcare free at the point of use.”

The figures also show the NHS in Scotland carried out the highest number of operations in five years, while child and adolescent mental health waiting time targets were met for the third time in a row.

However, the longstanding Scottish Government target remains that 95% of A&E patients should be admitted, transferred, discharged, or transferred within four hours. A benchmark that has not been achieved in recent years.

Headline photo: Tom Arthur MSP