A FIFE MSP has slammed the Scottish government over "scandalous" wait times for patients in the Kingdom. 

Following data released from Public Health Scotland which revealed that the amount of people seen with the SNP target of four hours fell from 881 in the week ending October 6 to 877 in the week ending October 13, Murdo Fraser has called for the government to take action. 

The Mid Scotland and Fife Conservative MSP said: “The latest A&E waiting times for patients in Fife are scandalous, to be honest, and are a damning indictment of this inept SNP Government. Time and time again our party has called on Health Secretary Neil Gray to grasp just how serious a problem this issue is, which is shown by the SNP not meeting their A&E waiting time target since July 2020."

The latest statistics also revealed that the number of Fife A&E patients who waited more than four hours increased from 394 to 437 in the same time period.

In addition, the number of A & E patients in Fife who had to wait more than 12 hours to be seen (20) remained the same.

Mr Fraser continued: “The SNP are failing A&E patients in Fife and across Scotland. They need to address matters like this which are important to local residents. Instead, they are wasting time and taxpayers’ money on producing ludicrous publications such as suggesting there are 27 different gender categories in Scotland – this nonsense just beggars’ belief.

“The SNP Government need to realise that patients and staff want waiting times reduced and for valuable support to be directed towards crucial services. These are bread and butter issues that matter to residents.”

NHS Fife's director of acute services, Claire Dobson said that "fluctuations" in wait times are normal and confirmed that A&E staff are working hard to deliver a "high standard" of care. 

She added: “The staff in our A&E work incredibly hard to provide patients with a high standard of care while ensuring they remain in the department no longer than is absolutely necessary.

“It is not uncommon to see fluctuations in A&E waiting times from week to week. The length of time that people remain within the department can be influenced by a range of different factors. The A&E does not operate in isolation from the rest of our acute hospital, and it is affected by the high demand we are seeing for inpatient care. Importantly, those who are most acutely unwell are prioritised and seen right away.

“The public has a vital role to play in helping us minimise waiting times by using A&E appropriately - particularly so as we move into winter. Attending A&E or calling 999 is only for the most serious and life-threatening emergencies, such as a severe injury, a suspected heart attack or stroke, breathing difficulties, or severe bleeding.

"Those who think they may need urgent care but it’s not critical or life-threatening should call NHS 24 on 111, day or night, who will help arrange the right care in the right place.”