Local MSP Kenneth Gibson has praised hard-working NHS staff after hospitals in NHS Ayrshire & Arran outperformed the four hour A&E waiting time target.

More than 95% of patients across Scotland’s core accident and emergency departments were seen, admitted or discharged within four hours, according to the most recent figures.

Hospitals in Ayrshire & Arran performed above the national figure, with 97.2% of patients being seen within the four hour target.

Scottish hospitals have been the best performing emergency departments in the UK consistently now for more than two years.

Commenting, Mr Gibson said: “The excellent performance of Ayrshire & Arran's emergency departments is testament to the hard work of our NHS and social care workers.

“We have seen a steady reduction in average waiting times and it is enormously encouraging that these figures are above the four hour standard and even more encouraging that Ayrshire & Arran's A & E departments are doing better than the national average.

“The challenge now is to ensure that this target is maintained.

“I’ve seen how committed NHS staff are to providing a vital service and we should all celebrate their success.”