First Minister’s Questions: Nicola Sturgeon faces questions on poor NHS waiting times
Scotland's First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, faced questions on NHS waiting times in today's session of First Minister's Questions.
Sturgeon answered questions on A&E waiting times from Labour MSP Iain Gray. Gray said that the SNP missed its four hours target for the 296th week in a row, and asked why things were particularly bad in Glasgow.
He was met with applause at Holyrood as he pressed the issue with the First Minister.
Sturgeon said that around nine out of 10 patients are being treated within four hours. She admitted there was "considerable concern" about A&E performance in Glasgow.
Ruth Davidson, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, continued to press the first minister on the NHS north of the border.
She said that hospital beds are down by 1,000 in Scotland – half of which are in Glasgow.
Sturgeon said that her government was dealing with challenges such as "changing demographics", stating that there were more NHS staff in Scotland than there were when her government took power.
She said "we are starting to see successes", but admitted there is work to be done.
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said that Scotland's primary healthcare is heading towards a crisis, but Sturgeon refused to accept his claim.