Increase in long A&E waits, monthly figures show

The number of Scots experiencing long waits in the country’s emergency departments has risen, the most recent monthly figures have shown.

Some 9.7% of patients waited more than eight hours in A&E in June, according to Public Health Scotland (PHS).

That is up from 9% the previous month but down from the 11.4% average for 2024.

The number of people waiting more than 12 hours also rose, accounting for 3.9% of A&E attendances – up from 3.5% in May but down from the 5.1% average for 2024.

Overall, 70.8% of Scots were seen within the four-hour target, compared to 71.8% the month before and the 68.4% average for last year.

PHS also released weekly A&E statistics on Tuesday, which showed a fall in patients experiencing longer waits.

For the week ending July 27, 9.9% of patients spent more than eight hours in A&E, down from 11.5% the week before and 12.5% for the weekly average of 2024.

There was also a slight decrease in waits over 12 hours, to 4.1% from 4.2%. The 2024 weekly average was 5.6%.

More than two-thirds (67%) of patients were seen within the four hours target – up from 65.5% the week before and above the 64.7% weekly average.

Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “Our core A&E departments have consistently been the best performing in the UK over the past decade. We are determined to drive improvements and remain in close contact with health boards to ensure they have the support they need to deal with the sustained pressure we are seeing.

“We are investing £200 million to reduce waiting times, improve hospital flow, and minimise delayed discharges. Building on success already seen last year, we expect the additional funding committed to result in more than 300,000 appointments and procedures this year.

“To help relieve pressure on teams we will deliver direct access to specialist Frailty teams in every Emergency Department by summer 2025 and expand Hospital at Home to at least 2,000 beds by the end of 2026. These are just some of the measures we are undertaking to shift the balance of care from acute to community.”