Long waits at emergency departments ‘linked to 600 extra deaths’

Lengthy waits in hospital A&E departments are linked to almost 600 additional deaths in Scotland in the first eight months of 2026, the Liberal Democrats have claimed.

The party used a measurement called the standard mortality ratio, which assumes that there will be one additional death for every 72 patients who experience eight to 12-hour waits prior to their admission.

Applying this measure to those who waited more than 12 hours between January and August, the party says there have been 597 additional deaths associated with these waits.

The Royal College of Emergency Medicine has used the standard mortality ratio as a measurement previously.

The Lib Dems said there has been a steep rise in the figures compared with 10 years ago.

Lib Dem MSP Adam Harley said: “With hundreds of deaths a year now associated with long waits, the crisis in our A&E departments is quite literally lethal.

“The problems in Scotland’s healthcare system have exploded during the SNP’s time in charge.

“If things are to change, we must urgently fix the underlying crisis in social care.”

He added: “Ministers must finally listen to our plans to boost pay and conditions for care workers and attract more people into the profession, helping us free up life-saving space in A&Es.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Excessively long waits are clearly unacceptable and ministers are laser-focused on tackling the pressures facing our NHS and our exceptional workforce.

“The figures cited are not official statistics so we are unable to comment on how they were calculated.

“Published statistics show that around 97% of all hospital discharges happen without delay, but clearly no one should have to wait longer in hospital than they need to.

“Whilst this situation is not unique to Scotland with all other UK nations experiencing similar pressures, we are taking action by expanding Hospital at Home services and implementing ‘Discharge Without Delay’ in all health boards this winter, which will see people discharged within three days of admission if clinically appropriate.”

The government spokesman noted that the statutory responsibility for delivering social care rests with local authorities.