New figures reveal that the number of patients in Scotland's A&E has risen to its highest level ever.
Public Health Scotland data shows that 8,993 people waited longer than the target time set by the Scottish government in the week up to 26 June.
The previous record was 8,631 for the week ending 20 March.
According to the Scottish government, Covid inpatients were causing delays in A&E.
The Scottish government set a goal to treat 95% of A&E patients in four hours. This target has not been achieved since July 2020.
In February 2015, it began publishing weekly A&E statistics. The target was lowered to 86% when it started publishing them.
According to the latest statistics, almost a third of those who waited more than 4 hours in emergency rooms during the week ending June 26th were in this category.
Only 67.5% of 27,646 attendees were seen during the timeframe, far below the 95% government target.
A record low of 66.2% of cases were handled in the time limit of four hours at the end of March. However, there were fewer patients attending A&E, so the actual number was lower.
According to the latest statistics, 2,562 patients spent over eight hours in A&E and 761 patients stayed in A&E for longer than 12 hours.
Both totals were below record numbers at the end March.
A spokesperson for the Scottish government stated that, despite Covid pressures to the contrary, "nearly half of our patients are being seen at our A&E departments in the four-hour target"
He said, "We continue to witness high levels of Covid transmission. People in hospitals with this virus are still in high numbers. This is causing a reduction in capacity in our hospitals as well as staff absence.
"We urge people to think carefully before they go to A&E. For many, A&E is not the right place for their healthcare needs.
"People need to consider whether their situation is urgent, such as a stroke or heart attack, or major trauma. NHS 24 is available to those who feel they may need A&E, but it is not an urgent situation.
According to the Scottish Conservatives, the most recent figures show that the Covid Recovery Plan of the Scottish government was weak and unfit for purpose.
Craig Hoy, the party's health spokesperson, stated that "it's a measure the severity of the crisis in Scotland’s A&E Wards that even at the heights of summer, when there should be an ease, the already dire waiting times stats are actually getting worse."
It is unacceptable that more than a third of patients have to wait over four hours for a visit. Nearly a thousand people waited at least half an hour in the same week. We know that excessive delays can lead to unnecessary deaths.
Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labour's spokesperson for health, stated that "despite heroic efforts by NHS staff our NHS is headed for a season of chaos."
"Staff work tirelessly round the clock, but people's lives are at risk because of the SNP's failure support the NHS."
Alex Cole-Hamilton, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, called upon Humza Yousaf, health secretary to "finally shift his focus back towards the A&E crises".
He said: "Weekly after week, we see NHS patients and staff in desperate need of new hope. But, there is little action by this SNP-Green government.
"Patients should be treated quickly and within their homes. Staff shouldn't be overwhelmed." This seems less likely after 15 years of SNP poor management."
