KINGLASSIE MSP, Jenny Gilruth, has praised hard-working NHS Fife staff after Fife outperformed the 4-hour waiting time target.

More than 95% of patients across Scotland’s core accident and emergency departments were seen, admitted or discharged within four hours, according to most recent figures.

Hospitals in Fife such as the Victoria performed above the national figure, with 97.4% of patients being seen within the 4-hour target.

The figures mean that Scottish hospitals have been the best performing emergency departments in the UK for more than two years.

Figures for the week ending June 11 show 95.3% of patients were seen within the four-hour target – an increase from 94.2% the previous week and 94.7% at the same time last year.

Commenting, Jenny Gilruth said: “Scotland has had the best performing emergency departments in the UK for more than two years – which is testament to the hard work of our NHS and social care workers in Fife and

across the country.

“We have seen a steady reduction in average waits over the last few weeks, and it is enormously encouraging that these weekly statistics show performance above the four-hour standard – and even more encouraging that A&E departments in Fife are performing ahead of the national average.

“Performance always fluctuates from week to week, and the challenge now is to ensure that we maintain this target on a consistent basis.

“I’ve seen first-hand how hard our NHS staff in Fife work and how committed they are to providing what is a vital service. I will always value the work done by our NHS staff – and we should all celebrate their success.”