WAITING time targets at Scotland’s emergency departments has been breached 1,095 days, according to latest data published today.

Figures have revealed that 68.8 per cent of patients were seen within the target four-hour wait in the week up to July 2, compared with 69 per cent the previous week, and a staggering 19 percentage points lower than the same period in 2019.

The statistics show the yawning gap between performance and the SNP-Green Scottish government target of 95 per cent being admitted or discharged in four hours — a target that has not been met for over three years.

Scottish Labour health spokeswoman Jackie Baillie said: “A&E in Scotland is still in chaos and it is still putting lives at risk — we cannot accept that this is the new normal.

“Dedicated NHS staff are working tirelessly to deliver the best possible service, but they are being failed by this incompetent SNP government.

“It is utterly unacceptable for patients to be waiting longer than four hours — this access standard exists for a reason as long waits increase the likelihood of worse outcomes for patients, including mortality.

“This problem spiralled out of control when Humza Yousaf was health secretary, and he cannot wash his hands of it as First Minister.

“Our NHS is stuck in perpetual crisis. The SNP must start properly supporting staff and tackling delayed discharge to end this scandal of dangerously long waits at the hospital front door.”

A spokesman for the Scottish government said: “Performance against the four-hour target has stabilised.

“However, we know performance is not where it needs to be and we are working closely with the health boards facing the greatest challenges in A&E, to drive down waiting times and improve services for patients and staff.”