Worst A&E waiting times since May

Responding to new figures showing only 65.1% were seen within 4 hours at A&E in the week ending 8th October (the worst since May), Scottish Liberal Democrat leader and health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton said:

"A&E waiting times hitting their worst level since May should set alarms going in the Scottish Government. A&E waits did not get close to the 95% target over the summer when waits are typically shorter and now as we head into winter waits are worsening from an even lower starting point than normal.

"NHS staff simply don’t have the beds, safe staffing and resources they need. They are working flat out but they need support from the SNP/Green government now before winter pressures arrive in their true strength.

"That means an urgent inquiry into the hundreds of avoidable deaths linked to the emergency care crisis, a staff burnout prevention strategy and a health and social care staff assembly."