Tens of thousands of Scots waiting more than a year for NHS treatment

Tens of thousands of Scots waiting more than a year for NHS treatment

More than 30,000 Scottish NHS waits still exceed a year, six months after John Swinney’s March 2026 target was missed, with ministers giving no new date.

Why does the Royal College of Emergency Medicine avoid comparisons with Scotland when they reveal England to be the ‘Capital of Deadly Long Waits?’

In the Herald today: More than 30,000 NHS waits are still longer than a year despite a Scottish Government pledge to eradicate them by March. Last year, First Minister John Swinney set a target of March 2026 for no patient to wait longer than a year for their treatment. Important I’m sure but: Why A&E should take priority if resources force a choice Mortality evidence is clearer and more immediate for A&E delays. Excess deaths in the low tens of…