Statistics published on Tuesday have shown that during the month ending 13 August, Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments in South Scotland continued to miss the Scottish Government’s legally binding target of 95% of patients being admitted to the hospital, transferred or discharged within four hours of arriving at A&E.

The figures showed a worsening picture compared to the previous week, with NHS Dumfries and Galloway sitting at 78.3 per cent; NHS Borders was 56.4 per cent; NHS Lanarkshire 57.4 per cent and NHS Lothian 61.2 per cent.

NHS Ayrshire and Arran improved slightly from 65.1 per cent to 70.8 per cent.

However, all the boards still fell short of the four hour target, and all saw large numbers of people waiting over eight hours and shockingly, some over 12 (see table below).

Colin Smyth said: “These figures are continuing to be of concern and show that our Accident and Emergency departments are struggling, even before we get into the winter period.

“Patients are still facing long waits for treatment, and that impact not only on them but the well-being of over stretched staff.

“Lives are still being lost because of delays and it is up to the Scottish Government to do all it can to stop this once and for all.

“They must also invest further in primary care and tackle illnesses before they get serious. Health inequalities are widening under this Scottish Government’s watch, and they must tackle this issue head on.”