NHS LOTHIAN has come under fire from the Government for not "effectively" meeting 15-week waiting time treatment targets.

Statistics show that at the end of December there were 704 outpatients not being treated within that standard, and 316 inpatients. This is despite other sizeable health boards like Greater Glasgow and Clyde having a 100 per cent record on that front.

Privately, NHS Lothian chiefs are puzzled as to why Holyrood is exposing waiting times targets that have yet to come into force – it is not until the end of next month the official goal will come in.

They are confident that not only will they meet the target, but they'll achieve a 12-week maximum wait after that.

Lothians hospitals carry out 30,000–50,000 inpatient and day case procedures a month, meaning those who weren't seen within 15 weeks make up a tiny percentage.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "Driving down waiting times is vital to ensure that patients get the treatment they need as quickly as possible. We know that waiting for diagnosis or treatment can be an anxious time for patients and their families which is why this government has put so much emphasis on cutting waiting times and making the system as transparent as possible."

Jackie Sansbury, director of strategic planning at NHS Lothian, said: "NHS Lothian's latest performance information shows we are very close to delivering success, as expected, on cutting the maximum waiting time for patients."