Speaking in reaction to the publication of waiting times statistics, published today by ISD Scotland, Sturgeon said: "Hidden waiting lists made a mockery of the maximum waiting time guarantee. Their removal is good news for patients who now have a clear understanding of their entitlement. 

"We have removed the smoke and mirrors that previously dogged Scotland's waiting list figures by ensuring that there is full transparency.” 

The figures show that at 31 March 2008, 0.2 per cent of new outpatients and 0.1 per cent of inpatients and day cases were waiting longer than the 18 week national standard. In addition 0.6 per cent of new outpatients seen and 0.7 per cent of inpatients and day cases treated in the quarter ending 31 March 2008 waited longer than 18 weeks.  

The figures are the first waiting times statistics to be published since the introduction of ‘New ways of defining and measuring waiting times’ on 1 January 2008, which introduced a significant change in the way NHS Scotland collects and defines waiting times. Under the new policy patients who would previously have been excluded from national standards are now included. As a result there is no comparable historic information available for these statistics.  

However, Sturgeon says the statistics show that the NHS’ performance has been “doubly impressive.” 

She continued: "A year ago just under 30,000 patients held an Availability Status Code - now these have been consigned to history. Yet, at the same time, the NHS has continued to reduce waiting times for patients, effectively meeting all our challenging national maximum waiting times targets. 

"This is very good news for patients. But we cannot be complacent. We are committed to supporting NHS Boards in further reducing waiting times for patients. That is why we are working towards a 'whole journey' maximum waiting time of 18 weeks from GP referral to treatment, to be delivered by the end of 2011." 

To view the statistics click here.