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This was researched by stewartb. I’ve just framed it a bit.

Here’s what stewartb sent me:

Dr Fiona Hunter, RCEM Vice President for Scotland is quoted in a press statement (March 3) headed: ‘Scottish A&E 12-hour waits hit ‘grim milestone’ of 10,000 in worst month on record’. It is commenting on ED performance figures for January 2026.

Commenting on ED waits, she states: “Just because the situation here is better than in other UK nations does not mean the status quo is acceptable, and we urge political parties to make tackling these issues major features in their manifestos.”

Is this explicit acknowledgement the first ever by the RCEM? 

We’re told: ‘…  one in 11 ED attendees, were subjected to waits of 12 or more hours from time of arrival until they were discharged, admitted or transferred elsewhere.’

On Wales, from the RCEM on February 19: ‘RCEM: worst January on record for Wales Emergency Departments shows urgent need for action’ – ‘1 in 6 (17.5%) waited for 12 hours or longer’ from time of arrival’.

On England, from the RCEM on February 12: ‘February 12: ‘The wheels have come off’: predictably busy January exposes ‘fragile’ NHS system as A&Es swamped with patients needing beds, says Royal College of Emergency Medicine ‘. It comments on ‘performance stats for January 2026:

‘Today’s data showed that more than one in seven patients who attended a major ED in England last month were subject to a wait of more than 12 hours to be discharged, admitted or transferred: a total of 192,168 people.   This is the second-worst month for 12-hour waits in EDs on record.

So the RCEM is (belatedly) stating the truth: the situation in Scotland is indeed ‘better than in the other UK nations’ and by a considerable margin!

So, 1 in 11 in Scotland, is 9% waiting for 12 hours or more. 1 in 7 in England is 14% and 1 in 6 in Wales is 17%, almost TWICE as many as in Scotland.

Footnote – Yes, I know no links to sources. We’re knackered here. Find them for me, post them in the comments below. A cigar (not really) for whoever is first!

Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:

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Click on the above.

Or direct bank transfer at Sort Code 08-91-04  Account - 12266421 Name - JOHN ROBERTSON