Nicola Sturgeon has been slammed over her NHS record after it was revealed more than 10,600 Scots had waited over two years for treatment.
The SNP leader was challenged on her waiting time record during First Minister's Questions (FMQs) in the Scottish Parliament earlier today.
During exchanges with Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross the FM said the covid pandemic had hit times considerably after many procedures were cancelled.
Sturgeon also said there are "record numbers of staff working in our National Health Service".
At FMQs, Ross asked Sturgeon: "This time last year, there were 648 patients in Scotland’s NHS who had waited more than two years for treatment.
"First Minister, how many people are now enduring this long wait?"
Sturgeon replied: "There are more people now waiting for NHS treatment, that will be the case for those waiting the longest period of time including over a year and over two years.
"That is why our NHS recovery plan is so important which is to improve waiting times generally but also to ensure that health boards are targeting those who are waiting longest.
"The pandemic obviously had a significant impact, but in terms of the statistics published, most recently, we are starting to see tentative signs of improvement."
Ross asked: "The answer the First Minister couldn't or wouldn't give is 10,613 Scots who have waited more than two years for treatment in Scotland’s NHS.
"The First Minister was speaking about tentative improvement, that is a 16-fold increase in a last year. This isn’t the NHS recovery her government promised. Things are getting far worse, not better.
"Now, we’re hearing of heart patients being given appointments two years down the line.
"Reports today state that people are receiving appointment dates in July 2024. First Minister, is that acceptable?"
Sturgeon replied: "I don't think that's acceptable and I know a review of that particular appointment which is a follow-up outpatient appointment not a first outpatient appointment is being undertaken.
"It is the case that waiting times generally that those waiting an unacceptable time for treatment has increased.
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