New NHS data shows impact of 19 years of SNP mismanagement

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has today said that new health figures show the importance of voting Scot Lib Dem on the peach regional ballot as data released today demonstrated the impact of 19 years of SNP mismanagement on our NHS.

Among the key data points:

• Only 67.5% of A&E attendees were seen within 4 hours in March; 12.3% spent more than 8 hours waiting to be seen, and 5.3% waited more than 12 hours
• In March 2026 there were 59,618 days spent in hospital by people whose discharge was delayed, and average number of beds occupied per day due to people delayed in hospital was 1,923
• 961 fewer operations took place in March 2026 than March 2019

Commenting on the figures, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said:

“The SNP have been in power for 19 years and the impact of this mismanagement of our NHS is clear to see.

“Our hospitals can’t admit or discharge people on time and there are still fewer operations taking place than in pre-Covid times. This government has had ample opportunity to improve things, and its failure to do so is unacceptable. If anything, things have gotten worse on the SNP's watch.

“The Scottish Liberal Democrats will end the SNP’s era of mismanagement for good with a comprehensive plan to save our health and care services.

“To bring down waiting times, we will give you faster access to GPs and recruit 900 more skilled staff for local practices, expand pharmacists’ prescription powers to take pressure off doctors, and end the delayed discharges that leave hospitals overfull with people who should be at home.

“After two decades of being let down, Scotland deserves better. And wherever you are in Scotland, the Scottish Liberal Democrats are giving you the chance to vote for it on your peach regional ballot.”