NHS Scotland reports worst A&E waiting times of the year amid 'super flu' spread

The NHS has reported the worst accident and emergency wait times this year as flu cases continue to pile pressure on hospitals.

Approximately two in five people waited more than four hours for care at A&E departments across Scotland, according to the latest figures.

This is the worst performance since the end of December 2024, when 58.9% of people at A&E were seen within four hours.

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Flu cases have risen 24% in the last week with the highest case rates seen in younger age groups.

Public Health Scotland also revealed on Tuesday that 4,670 (16.8%) patients spent more than eight hours waiting for care at A&E in the week ending December 7, the worst since January 5.

The number of people waiting more than 12 hours is the second highest on record for A&E departments – 2,344.

The Scottish health secretary warned high numbers of flu cases were putting “additional pressure” on the NHS.

Neil Gray said there are “higher numbers of people attending A&E departments” during the current flu outbreak.

Public Health Scotland data shows laboratory-confirmed influenza cases rose from 1,875 to 2,331 – a 24% increase – in the first week of December.

Hospital admissions due to influenza increased 15% from 860 to 986.

“Our A&E departments are facing sustained pressure, resulting in current A&E performance below the levels we all wish to see,” Gray said.

“We are seeing higher numbers of people attending A&E departments and higher hospital admissions with flu compared to this time last year, which is adding additional pressure to the system.”

Scottish Conservative shadow health secretary Dr Sandesh Gulhane MSP said the latest A&E statistics are a “new low” for SNP ministers.

“On their watch, the number of patients being seen within four hours at A&E is continuing to plummet and we know lives are being lost due to their incompetence,” Gulhane said.

“With a brutal wave of flu hammering our health service, the situation is only going to get worse.”

The Scottish Tory MSP said the “buck stops with Neil Gray as health secretary”.

“[Gray] urgently needs to get a grip of this crisis in A&E before our NHS collapses in the coming weeks,” Gulhane warned.

Gray urged people to get vaccinated against the flu if possible, saying: “Vaccination remains the best protection against winter flu – we encourage everyone who is eligible to come get protected.”

The health secretary stressed the current situation is “not unique to Scotland”, adding all other UK nations are “experiencing similar pressures”.

Gray added: “We want to drive improvements and are working closely with health boards to ensure they have the support in place to cope with peaks in demand.

“We are investing £200m to reduce waiting times, improve hospital flow, and minimise delayed discharges.

“This investment is supporting the development of front door frailty services in every health board in Scotland and expanding Hospital at Home capacity to at least 2,000 beds by the end of 2026.

“These measures will help us shift the focus of care from acute to community.”