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Waiting times in Scotland’s A&E departments have improved, the latest weekly figures show.
Statistics from Public Health Scotland show 63.9% of patients waited under the four-hour target in the week to August 2, down from 63.2% the week before.
The number of people waiting more than eight hours dropped from 12.6% to 11.5%, while waits over 12 hours fell from 4.9% to 4.1%.
Performance remains well below the Scottish Government’s target of 95% of patients being seen and admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours.
Scottish Conservative health spokesman Miles Briggs said: “These dire figures show Scotland’s A&E departments are still stuck in permanent crisis under the SNP.
“Thousands of patients are still waiting far too long each week to be seen, despite years of SNP promises to reduce waiting times.
“As John Swinney’s Government approaches its first 100 days since the election, nothing has changed for patients and staff.
“Ministers are continuing with the same old failed approach to the NHS, which results in missed targets and worsening performance, but still no urgency to fix the problems.
“The SNP must stop the excuses and take decisive action to get patients seen quicker, ease the pressure on A&E and give NHS staff the support they need.”
A spokesperson for the Scottish Government said: ”A&E departments continue to experience significant pressures. These are not unique to Scotland, with other UK nations facing similar demands.
“Long waits are unacceptable and we are committed to improving A&E performance and tackling delays for patients.
“That’s why we will be publishing a new national plan for improving the flow of patients through our hospitals, from the front door to discharge, within our first 100 days.”
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