Figures published today by the Information Services Division (ISD) show that the majority of cardiac patients are treated within the 16 weeks from referral to treatment “whole journey” target.  

Speaking as she visited the Cardiology Outpatients Department at the Royal Infirmary, Robison said she was encouraged by the improvements and is confident that all boards are on track to meet the December target.  

She said: "It is extremely good news that patients are now being treated more quickly than ever before for heart conditions.  This is making a real difference to the lives of patients and their families and I commend NHS staff for their hard work in achieving this. 

"I am encouraged that Boards are making month-on-month improvements in their progress towards meeting the tough 16 week target.  This is a significant milestone as it shows us for the first time the true length of time a patient waits between GP referral and treatment. 

"I am confident that all boards are on track to meet this target by December this year.  

"The new Scottish Government is absolutely committed to making sure that there is transparency in waiting lists and driving down waiting times for all patients."  

However, the figures also show that the six month waiting time guarantee has been breached in Grampian, an issue Robison said needed to be resolved as “a matter of urgency”. 

Robison continued: "The waiting time guarantee is there to ensure all patients get the best possible treatment as quickly as possible, so it is a big disappointment when breaches are reported. 

"It is clear that the breaches in today's figures are focussed in a specific speciality where a short-term problem has arisen. This is being addressed as a matter of urgency. 

"I am clear that there is no systemic problem here, and that the other Boards can take great pride in the strides they have made not only to deliver on waiting time guarantees, but to reduce the overall inpatient/day case waiting list to an all-time low. 

"It is also important to recognise good performances in relation to hidden waiting lists - down nearly 30 per-cent on a year ago - and on the drive to see patients attending A&E being treated, transferred or discharged within four hours now at 96 per cent as against 84 per cent in June last year. 

"As we get ever closer to the end of 2007 milestone, when many new tougher waiting time targets will come into effect, I am heartened by the excellent progress that is being made across the country, which is a tribute to the hard work by all NHS staff and very good news for patients." 

Waiting times information published today by ISD, including monthly figures for A&E and diagnostic tests is available here.