WAITING times at Scotland’s emergency departments have improved sharply, new figures have shown.
Statistics released on Tuesday by Public Health Scotland (PHS) show 68% of attendances in the week up to July 28 were seen within four hours.
Despite falling well short of the 95% target set by the Scottish Government – meaning almost one third are still waiting too long – the figure increased from 63.5% the previous week.
The proportion of people waiting longer than 12 hours also dropped between the two weeks, falling from 5.6% to 5%.
The proportion of those waiting more than eight hours also dropped from 12.9% to 10.8%.
But the latest monthly figures, also released on Tuesday, showed a drop in performance in June.
Those seen within four hours dropped from 70.8% to 69%, while the number of people waiting more than 12 hours increased from 4.2% to 4.5%.
Those waiting eight hours or more jumped from 10% to 10.7%.
Health Secretary Neil Gray (above) said: “The latest weekly figures which show performance is moving in the right direction, with over two thirds of people being seen in our emergency departments within four hours.
“Although we have the best performing core A&E departments in the UK, performance remains below the level we all wish to see.
“We are continuing to work with Boards to reduce long waits and support delivery of sustained improvements.
“Services are facing sustained pressure and this is not unique to Scotland – with similar challenges being felt right across the UK.
“This year’s Scottish Budget provides more than £19.5 billion for health and social care and an extra £500 million for frontline boards.”
