NEARLY seven out of 10 of patients at Scotland’s emergency departments were seen within the four-hour target, according to the latest figures. 

Figures released by Public Health Scotland (PHS) showed that in the week up to April 30, 69.7% of attendances at accident and emergency (A&E) departments were seen and subsequently admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours.

It is an increase on last week’s 66.2%, recorded on the week ending April 23.

However, the Scottish Government’s 95% target has not been met since July 2020, with 70.2% – the highest of the year – recorded in January.

Meanwhile, of the 24,746 attendances at A&E in the week ending April 30, 1950 patients spent more than eight hours waiting for treatment, while a further 623 waited longer than 12 hours.

Scottish Health Secretary Michael Matheson said the figures showed a decline of more than one third of patients waiting eight hours or longer.

He said: “We are supporting health boards as they continue to manage the significant pressure that remains on services right across the health and social care system.

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“These statistics show a 33.3% decrease in the number of patients waiting longer than 12 hours in A&E, and a decrease of 26.5% in those waiting longer than 8 hours.

“This is welcome and we thank staff in all our emergency departments for their outstanding effort every day of the week.

“The Scottish Government is providing ongoing support to boards in a range of areas, including discharge planning to ensure patients are seen in the right place at the right time without delay.”