News Story

One in 10 A&E patients waited more than 12 hours, figures show

PA Media

The number of people seen within four hours fell in the week ending January 11.

Received: 10:35:41 on 20th January 2026

About one in 10 A&E patients waited for more than 12 hours in the first full week of January, according to new statistics.

Public Health Scotland data showed about 10.6% people who attended an emergency department waited in excess of 12 hours in the week ending January 11.

This figure compared to 6.8% the previous week.

The proportion of patients seen and admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours dropped to 59.2% compared to 62.7% the previous week.

Some 19% of patients spent more than eight hours in an emergency department compared to 14% the previous week, according to the data.

The number of people attending A&E also increased from 24,175 to 25,607.

The Scottish Government has been approached for comment.