A FIFE MSP has called for more support for the NHS in the Kingdom following the publication of new figures that show the health board is underperforming in hospital admissions.

New figures published by Public Health Scotland show that patients in Fife are waiting longer for hospital treatment than patients in other parts of the country.

The 18 weeks Referral to Treatment (RTT) standard is intended to see 90 per cent of patients treated within 18 weeks, covering the time from of a GP referral up to the point where each patient is admitted to hospital for treatment.

However, NHS Fife has consistently underperformed this target since February and with only 68.7 per cent treated under this standard in June against a national average of 74.1 per cent.

Willie Rennie MSP said: “These figures are disappointing, with only a modest increase in June from the numbers in May, showing an ongoing problem of Fifers waiting too long for hospital treatment.

“Healthcare workers have been asked to do the impossible over the last 18 months. We need the Scottish Government to work with them to make sure they have the resources they need and to ensure patients are treated quickly and effectively.

“All too often I have heard from constituents that are in desperate need of care and treatment, and not getting the help they need.

“Scottish ministers were aware that this problem was coming and promised in the election that they would provide the resources to help our struggling healthcare services, but the exact opposite has happened.

“The Scottish Government has set these targets; it is their duty and responsibility to help health boards meet them.”