THE Scottish NHS has seen its worst May on record for A&E waiting times, according to figures published by Public Health Scotland (PHS).

Meeting the four-hour target for patients to be discharged, transferred or admitted has proven to be a persistent headache for the service in recent years, with the target being met just 67.7 per cent of the time in May 2026 compared to 98.1 per cent in May 2008.

This is down on May 2025’s figure of 71.9 per cent and means that the five worst performances against the four-hour target have happened in the last five years.

Waits of eight hours or over stood at 11.3 per cent, while waits of over 12 hours stood at 4.7 per cent of attendances, meaning a staggering 16,612 languished in A&E for more than eight hours and 6,978 waited more than 12 hours in May 2026.

The figures were published alongside statistics showing a 4 per cent rise in delayed discharges, up from 57,399 in May 2026, to 59,429, amid an ongoing cash and staffing crisis in primary care leading to shortages in social care packages to allow people to return home.

Scottish Labour health spokeswoman Jackie Baillie said: “For years, the SNP has promised to fix the deadly crisis in A&E. But things are worse than ever. The SNP needs to end the broken promises and put in place a real plan to fix this mess — supporting staff, easing pressure on hospitals and improving primary care.

“Scotland deserves better and we cannot afford any more A&E chaos.”

Health Secretary Angela Constance responded: “A&E departments continue to experience significant pressure and there was a 7.8 per cent increase in the number of people attending Scotland’s A&Es in May, compared to the previous month.

“These pressures are not unique to Scotland, with other UK nations facing similar demands.

“I am committed to improving A&E performance and tackling delays for patients.

“That’s why we will be publishing a new national plan for improving the flow of patients through our hospitals, from the front door to discharge, within our first 100 days.”