Scotland's A&E performance continues to slide

Responding to new figures showing that only 63.4% of patients were seen across Scotland within the 4 hour target, Liberal Democrat Scottish Affairs spokesperson Christine Jardine said:

“These new statistics throw Michael Matheson's assessment that Humza Yousaf was a good Health Secretary into sharp relief as the longest waits continue to get longer. The new Health Secretary cannot afford to keep taking patients and staff for granted just like his predecessor did.

“It's disheartening that this government has already shown it would rather prioritise independence than the NHS.

"Michael Matheson should start his tenure as Health Secretary by dropping his government's opposition to our constructive proposals such as an urgent inquiry into the hundreds of avoidable deaths linked to the emergency care crisis, a burnout prevention strategy and a health and social care staff assembly."