More than 800,000 still on waiting lists

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader and health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has today said the SNP are disastrous for your health after figures showed that 865,432 are on NHS waiting lists.

New figures from Public Health Scotland show that on 30th September 2025, 559,077 were on an outpatient waiting list, while 155,849 were on an inpatient waiting list.

As at 30th June, the total waiting list size for eight key diagnostics tests combined was 150,506. This is the latest available number for diagnostic waits and when included with the new figures published today, bring the total number of Scots on a waiting list to 865,432.

Alex Cole-Hamilton said:

"Far too many people are waiting in pain and uncertainty. They are unable to get on in life and it’s hurting the economy.

“Waiting lists in Scotland are now far worse than those in England, while the rollout of national treatment centres has stalled and repeated SNP promises to speed up treatment have fallen flat.

“After almost two decades in charge, the SNP have proved to be disastrous for your health.

“Scotland deserves change with fairness at its heart, which is what the Scottish Liberal Democrats are offering. At next May’s election, everyone can vote for that by backing my party on their second, peach-coloured regional ballot paper.”