SNP attacks NHS waiting times

Accident and emergency (A&E) departments in Scotland have waiting times that are in some cases “embarrassing”, according to the Scottish National Party (SNP).

Responding to figures that showed waiting times in one NHS hospital’s A&E department ? that of Wishaw General Hospital ? of almost 20 hours, the SNP was very critical of the current situation.

“These A&E figures are particularly embarrassing for the First Minister and the health minister, Andy Kerr. This is a record of failure for which both men are directly responsible,” said Fiona Hyslop, of the SNP, according to the Scotsman.

The figures show that Edinburgh Royal Infirmary was the major teaching hospital with the longest wait, according to the newspaper, with a waiting time of 14 hours and ten minutes.

However, the figures have been attacked by some, who claim that they are inaccurate.

“These figures are a year old and do not reflect the progress that is being made in our efforts to bring waiting times down,” said NHS Lothian, the trust that runs Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, according to the Scotsman.

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