The Scottish Government has hit its key appointment target as new outpatient waits continue to drop.
Figures from Public Health Scotland showed a continued increase in waits that were completed in 12 weeks or less with key diagnostic test waiting times for radiology and endoscopy decreasing.
The statistics show there were 103,093 attendances at a new outpatient clinic during April 2026, a decrease of 16.6% from the previous month, and down by 0.5% compared to April 2025.
This is also the lowest level of activity reported since December 2024.
This is testament to the hard work of our NHS staff across Scotland and I thank them for their continued outstanding efforts.
In April 2026, 65.5% of these waits were completed in 12 weeks or less, an increase from 59.2% in March.
The Scottish Government is still failing to hit the outpatient national standard where 95% of new outpatients should wait no longer than 12 weeks from referral to being seen.
However, compared to April 30 2025, the number of ongoing waits is down 13.7%.
Last year, the Scottish Government promised to provide 150,000 additional new outpatient appointments to help ease waiting times within the NHS.
This number has been exceeded, with latest data showing 168,177 additional appointments and procedures were carried out in the financial year up to March 2026 compared to same period in the previous year.
The number of waits over 52 weeks has been reducing month on month, down to 14,986 at April 30 2026, a decrease of 1,130 compared to the end of March.
Of the remaining waits over one year, 1,144 waits had exceeded two years, down 41 from the end of March.
Health Secretary Angela Constance hailed the figures.
She said: “These new figures show our plan is delivering for the people of Scotland.
“We are seeing sustained decreases in waits of over a year with 11 consecutive months of progress in new outpatient waits and inpatient and day-case procedures reducing for 15 months in a row.
“We have seen significant decreases in waits over a year in these time periods with more and more people getting the treatment they need.”
Waiting times for certain key diagnostic tests have also seen a decrease with latest quarterly figures until March 31 2026 showing waits across endoscopy fell by 6% and radiology by 10% when compared to the previous quarter.
Ms Constance continued: “On top of this progress, new data shows we surpassed our pledges to provide additional appointments last year – with 168,177 extra appointments and procedures delivered.
“This is testament to the hard work of our NHS staff across Scotland and I thank them for their continued outstanding efforts.
“We know there is more to do, and I am determined to continue to build on this substantial progress and ensure people receive the treatment they need as soon as possible.”