Scandalous SNP won’t publish results of key health targets until after election

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has today accused the SNP of “conning patients and staff” as he revealed that the government doesn't intend to publish data on whether they have met a set of key health targets until after the 2026 Scottish Parliament election.

The Scottish Government have set a target that by March 2026:

• No one will be waiting longer than a year for NHS treatment.
• 95% of all radiology referrals will be seen within six weeks.
• The delivery of over 150,000 extra appointments and procedures.

In response to a question by Mr Cole-Hamilton, however, the Scottish Government stated that it won’t publish data showing whether these targets have been met until 26th May 2026, a fortnight after the Scottish Parliament election.

In an interview with ITV Border, Health Secretary Neil Gray appeared to downgrade the government’s promise that by March 2026 no one will have to wait more than a year for treatment, calling it instead an ‘aspiration’.

Alex Cole-Hamilton said:

“The SNP are conning patients and trying to pull the wool over the eyes of everyone waiting for care. They announce targets to much fanfare, but immediately delay their results if it threatens their pre-election image.

“The Health Secretary has now suggested his government can’t meet at least one of these targets. If he doesn’t have faith in this scandalous SNP government, how can he expect anyone else to?

“Across Scotland, patients are waiting far too long for treatment and staff feel completely overwhelmed. They all deserve better.

"Scottish Liberal Democrats are bursting with fresh ideas to get our NHS back on its feet and get everyone the care they need in good time. Next May, everyone can vote for those plans by backing my party on the peach regional ballot paper.”