Latest figures from Public Health Scotland have revealed that only 74.8 per cent of people who attended A&E in the week ending 13 April were seen within four hours.

The Scottish Government has a legally binding target that means 95% of patients should be admitted, transferred or discharged from an A&E department within four hours.

NHS Dumfries and Galloway also saw 8.8 per cent of people waiting over eight hours and 4.9 per cent waited over 12.

On Sunday, the NHS put out a message reminding people only to attend A&E if they require urgent medical treatment due to high levels of admissions.

South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth said: “Every single week lives are being put at risk by long waits in A&E.“NHS staff are working tirelessly to keep services going and keep patients safe, but they are being badly failed by the Scottish Government.

“John Swinney said he stepped in and took responsibility for fixing the crisis in our NHS, but things are moving in the wrong direction.

“The four hour target is there for a reason, yet more and more people are having to wait in A&E far longer and that’s just appalling.

“After 18 years in power, it’s clear that this Scottish Government is incapable of getting to grips with A&E and we need a new direction.”