Do poor waiting times figures indicate major problems in the NHS in Scotland?
Numbers of patients in Scotland waiting longer than a supposedly legally binding 12-week period are increasing, the latest figures show.
Information Services Division Scotland reports that more than a quarter of patients waited longer than 12 weeks for day-case or inpatient surgery in the three months to the end of June this year. Over this period, 74.6 patients were seen in time, compared to 75.8 the previous quarter and 81.2% at the same time last year.
Waiting times for outpatient clinics and for diagnostic tests are also worsening.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said that NHS investment and staffing levels were at record levels and that additional funds had been allocated to reduce waiting times.
Further information
ISD Scotland: Hospital waiting times: diagnostic, new outpatient, inpatient, day case and referral to treatment quarter ending 30 June 2018