NHS FIGHTING FOR ITS LIFE

MSP’s verdict after stats lay bare depth of crisis

- CHRIS McCALL

THE NHS in Scotland is “fighting for its life” after another dire set of monthly figures revealed the severe pressure hospitals still face. 

The number of Scots waiting more than 12 hours to be seen in an A&E ward reached the highest level on record in January.

Public Health Scotland figures show 8857 people waited more than half a day in A&E – accounting for 7.2 per cent of all attendances – up from 6644 in December.

The previous highest level, 8821, was in December 2022.