THE Scottish government must face facts over growing A&E waits to avoid more “corridor chaos,” Scottish Labour warned today.

Public Health Scotland figures show that 62.3 per cent of those presenting at a hospital accident and emergency department in the week up to October 13 were seen within four hours, compared with 62.6 per cent the previous week.

Both figures fall well short of a 95 per cent target that has gone unmet since July 2020. 

The proportion waiting more than eight hours also increased from 13.4 to 13.7 per cent, while those waiting more than 12 hours to be discharged or admitted grew from 6.2 to 6.4 per cent.

Scottish Labour health spokeswoman Dame Jackie Baillie said: “This SNP government must face facts. On its watch, desperately ill patients are forced to wait life-changing hours just to be seen.

“It should follow the example of the UK Labour government and tap into the collective wisdom of patients and NHS staff before hospitals slide further into corridor chaos. 

“Scotland has been promised a national conversation, but we haven’t heard a peep since June, and meanwhile there are ominous signs that this winter will be even tougher for the NHS than last year. Scots can’t wait any longer.”

SNP Health Secretary Neil Gray admitted that “performance is below the level we all wish to see” but claimed that it was “in line with typical seasonal trends.”

He added: “Services continue to face sustained pressure and this is not unique to Scotland, with similar challenges being felt right across the UK.

“Through our winter plan, a record number of NHS 24 call handlers will be available this year to direct people to the most appropriate care, helping reduce unnecessary A&E attendances.”