Scottish A&E waits over 12 hours surge by more than 7000% – Lib Dem analysis

The number of people waiting more than 12 hours in A&E in Scotland has soared by more than 7000% in a decade, according to an analysis by the Scottish Liberal Democrats.

The party said waits over four, eight and 12 hours were the second worst since records began.

Its analysis of Public Health Scotland figures found that since 2016, waits longer than 12 hours surged by 7354% – from 998 cases to 74,393.

Waits over eight hours rose by 2335% in the same time period, from 7,047 patients to 171,615.

The number waiting more than four hours jumped by five times compared to 2016 to 491,607.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said: “These figures demonstrate that the SNP cannot be trusted to cut waiting times and fix our NHS. On their watch, things have gone from bad to broken.

“When they came to power, waiting 12 hours in A&E was a rare occurrence – it happened to about three people a day. Now, 200 patients a day are having to go through this and for too many, it can prove fatal.

“A major cause of the long waits in A&E, of ambulances stacking up outside and cancelled surgeries is the care bottleneck.

“Departments are backed up because there are so many people like Margaret MacGill, whose case I raised with the First Minister last week, who are stuck in hospital unable to leave because the care package that they need is not available.

“It all goes to show that you cannot bring down these waits without making sure people have the care packages or care home places they need once they leave hospital.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Our A&E departments are facing sustained pressure, and we continue to see higher levels of hospital occupancy, which is impacting on patient flow and leading to delays at the front door.

“This situation is not unique to Scotland with all other UK nations experiencing similar pressures.

“We are investing over £220 million to reduce waiting times, improve hospital flow and minimise delayed discharges and our plan is working.

“To support winter activity, we are providing up to £20 million to fund increased social care and reduce pressure on the hospital front door, to make sure people get the right care in the right place.”

Published: 18/01/2026 by Radio NewsHub