Statistics published by Public Health Scotland this morning have shown that, for the week ending 15th of August, only 76 per cent of attendees at A&E were seen and resulted in a subsequent admission, transfer or discharge within 4 hours – the lowest rate since February 2015.

Within the Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board area, the Royal Alexandra Hospital – which many Dumbarton residents use – fell far below the 95% target with just 78% of A&E attendees being seen within 4 hours of arriving.

Commenting, Scottish Labour deputy leader and health spokesperson, Jackie Baillie said:

“A&E services are in crisis and the Health Secretary is still missing in action.

“For months now frontline NHS workers have been raising the alarm and the Health Secretary has simply failed to heed their calls.

“This A&E crisis is leading to thousands of Scots being denied the speedy and vital healthcare that they need.

“If the Health Secretary continues to turn a blind eye to this crisis then we face the possibility that lives will be lost.

“This cannot continue. Humza Yousaf risks losing control of our NHS, with potentially disastrous results. He must act and act now.”