First Minister John Swinney has declared he is 'proud' of the progress being made in Scotland's NHS, even as newly released statistics reveal what critics describe as 'atrocious' figures highlighting extensive patient delays for appointments, cancer treatment, and emergency care. The contradictory narrative emerged during a campaign visit in Dundee, where Swinney placed the health service at the centre of his Holyrood election strategy, despite data indicating a deteriorating situation in key areas.
Worsening Performance Figures Across Multiple Fronts
Public Health Scotland data released yesterday painted a stark picture of the challenges facing the NHS. In February, there were 23,415 ongoing waits of more than a year for outpatient appointments, a figure that remains alarmingly high despite a reduction of 6,415 from the previous month. Among these, 2,159 patients had been waiting for over two years. This comes despite a Scottish Government pledge to eliminate 52-week waits by the end of March, a target officials have now admitted will not be met.
Additionally, 20,825 individuals have waited more than a year for inpatient or day case treatment, with 3,132 enduring delays exceeding two years. A&E performance has also declined, with only 61.1% of patients seen within the four-hour target in the week ending March 22, down from 64.8% the previous week. Concerningly, 13.9% waited over eight hours, and 5.7% faced waits longer than twelve hours.
Cancer Treatment Targets Missed for Thirteen Consecutive Years
Cancer care statistics further underscore the crisis. Only 72.6% of patients began treatment within the 62-day target during the final quarter of 2025, a slight improvement from 70.7% in the previous quarter but still far below the required standard. This marks the thirteenth consecutive year the target has been missed, prompting severe criticism from opposition parties and health charities.
Scottish Labour health spokesman Jackie Baillie condemned the record, stating, 'Quick treatment saves lives but this dangerously incompetent SNP government hasn’t met its cancer treatment target for 13 years. Dedicated NHS staff are working tirelessly, but they too are being let down.'
Swinney's Campaign Focus on NHS 'Progress'
During a visit to the paediatric surgery charity KidsOR in Dundee, Mr Swinney emphasised his commitment to NHS improvements, telling reporters he was 'pleased with the progress being made.' When pressed on whether he felt pride in the latest figures, he responded, 'I am proud of the progress that we’re making, yes I am. I think we’ve got further improvements to make, that is why people need to vote SNP so they have a government that is focused on ensuring that these issues are addressed.'
This stance was immediately challenged by Scottish Conservative health spokesman Sandesh Gulhane, who said, 'These atrocious and worsening figures expose the SNP’s dire mismanagement of our health service. John Swinney absurdly claimed today he was proud of the progress he’s made on the NHS. What progress? A&E waiting times have soared, there aren’t enough medics, and he has failed miserably on his pledge to end year-long waits.'
Charities and Critics Demand Urgent Action
Peter Hastie, external affairs manager for Macmillan Cancer Support, highlighted the urgency of the situation, noting, 'Three years ago, within its 10-year cancer strategy, the Scottish Government expressed the clear need for faster diagnosis and treatment. Today we’ve seen that the 62-day cancer waiting times target has once again been missed. With elections five weeks away, it’s vital the next Scottish Government treat these unacceptable figures as a serious call to action.'
The political debate intensifies as the Holyrood election approaches, with the NHS poised to be a defining issue. While the First Minister points to incremental gains, the overwhelming data suggests a system under severe strain, leaving patients and professionals alike calling for more substantial and rapid reforms.
