Commenting on reports that A&E waiting times are at their worst for six years, Scottish Labour deputy leader and health spokesperson Jackie Baillie said:

“Today’s shocking statistics have laid bare the disaster that is unfolding in our A&E services.

“Thousands of lives are at risk and the government is nowhere to be seen.

“For months now Humza Yousaf has had his fingers in his ears. Simply saying ‘crisis, what crisis?’ will not cut it.

“The SNP needs to get its act together, start listening to frontline staff and patients, and re-mobilise the NHS so that people do not have to end up at the front door of A&E.

“It’s time for the Minister to wake up and act before further lives are put at risk.”