NHS waiting lists in Scotland are continuing to fall, with long waits reducing for a seventh month in a row, according to new figures published by Public Health Scotland.
The latest data shows sustained progress in cutting the longest waits for outpatient, inpatient and day‑case care, alongside a rise in the number of operations being carried out across the country.
As of 31 December 2025, new outpatient waits of more than 52 weeks had fallen by 15.4% compared with November 2025. Long outpatient waits have now reduced every month since July 2025, with the total number of people waiting over a year down by 40.1% over that period.
The data also shows consistent progress for inpatient and day‑case procedures. Waits of more than 52 weeks for these treatments have fallen every month since July 2025, with a total reduction of 23.9% over the same timeframe.
Health leaders say this reflects a sustained focus on tackling the longest waits and improving patient flow across hospitals.
Alongside shorter waits, new figures highlight an increase in planned care activity across Scotland’s NHS.
Between January 2025 and December 2025, the number of operations carried out rose by 5.6% compared with the previous year. In total, 274,638 procedures were delivered during this 12‑month period.
Neil Gray, Scottish Health Secretary, said:
“These latest figures show our plan is delivering for the people of Scotland and our NHS has turned a corner – we are seeing sustained progress in reducing waiting times with activity also increasing compared to last year.
“Thousands more appointments, operations and procedures are being delivered this year and we are determined to continue to build on this momentum, ensuring people receive the treatment they need as soon as possible.
“We are seeing downward trends across nearly all waiting list indicators which shows our targeted investment this year is having a real impact on people’s lives. None of this would be possible without out hard-working NHS staff and I want to thank each and every one of them for the progress they are delivering.”
The rise in activity is seen as a key factor in driving down long waits and improving access to care for patients.
To support continued improvement, up to £20 million in additional funding is being made available to health boards during the current financial year. The funding is intended to help boards maintain momentum, increase capacity and further reduce waiting times across outpatient, inpatient and day‑case services.
While challenges remain, the continued month‑on‑month reductions suggest progress is being made towards improving timely access to NHS care across Scotland.
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