Scotland’s ‘missing in action’ Health Minister is presiding over ‘perpetual chaos’ in Scotland’s NHS, Scottish Labour has said today.

Statistics published this morning have revealed during the week ending 31 July 2022, only 66.3% of attendances at A&E services were seen and resulted in a subsequent admission, transfer or discharge within 4 hours.

Shockingly, 2,542 patients spent more than 8 hours in an A&E department and 1,041 patients spent more than 12 hours in an A&E department.

Scottish Labour health spokesperson Jackie Baillie has said that ‘lives are being risked on a daily basis’ through SNP incompetence.

Commenting, Scottish Labour health spokesperson Jackie Baillie said: “Today’s statistics lay bare an NHS forced into perpetual crisis by SNP incompetence.

“A&E is in disarray, with thousands waiting over eight hours for treatment – but Humza Yousaf is missing in action.

“Scotland’s A&E services are dangerously overheated because of lack of capacity elsewhere in the NHS system – with lives being put in danger every day.

“NHS staff are working heroically but they are being failed day in and day out by this government.

“Lives are being risked on a daily basis through SNP incompetence – but the minister is nowhere to be seen.

“Humza Yousaf needs to listen to staff and get back to the day job before lives are lost.”