Scotland A&E data for August 2026, published 6 October 2026
A&E waiting times in Edinburgh
How quickly people are seen at emergency departments run by NHS Lothian, which serves Edinburgh, Scotland.
These are Scotland figures, not NHS England data. Health services in Scotland are run separately and publish their own statistics, which use different definitions. Figures here come from Public Health Scotland (open data at opendata.nhs.scot).
If it is not an emergency, NHS 111 or calling 111 can tell you where to go, including urgent treatment centres, which often have shorter waits. Call 999 or go to A&E for life-threatening emergencies such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding or signs of a stroke.
In August 2026, 64.0% of the 27,520 attendances at emergency departments run by NHS Lothian were dealt with within 4 hours, 2.7 points below the Scotland figure of 66.7%. That ranks 11 of 14 health boards in Scotland.
NHS Lothian: % within 4 hours Scotland
| Month | NHS Lothian within 4 hours | Scotland within 4 hours |
|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | 64.0% | 66.7% |
| July 2026 | 69.2% | 69.1% |
| June 2026 | 66.0% | 67.9% |
| May 2026 | 64.9% | 67.6% |
| April 2026 | 65.5% | 68.0% |
| March 2026 | 65.0% | 67.5% |
| Health board | Within 4 hours |
|---|---|
| NHS Orkney | 95.2% |
| NHS Western Isles | 94.0% |
| NHS Tayside | 88.1% |
| NHS Shetland | 81.5% |
| NHS Highland | 78.9% |
| NHS Dumfries and Galloway | 74.6% |
| NHS Fife | 72.7% |
| NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde | 68.4% |
| NHS Borders | 65.5% |
| NHS Grampian | 64.4% |
| NHS Lothian | 64.0% |
| NHS Ayrshire and Arran | 60.1% |
| NHS Forth Valley | 59.3% |
| NHS Lanarkshire | 49.4% |
A&E near Edinburgh
| Nearby town | Distance | Main trust or board | Within 4 hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kirkcaldy | 11 miles | NHS Fife | 72.7% |
| Dunfermline | 13 miles | NHS Fife | 72.7% |
| Hamilton | 35 miles | NHS Lanarkshire | 49.4% |
| East Kilbride | 41 miles | NHS Lanarkshire | 49.4% |
| Glasgow | 42 miles | NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde | 68.4% |
| Aberdeen | 93 miles | NHS Grampian | 64.4% |
| Inverness | 113 miles | NHS Highland | 78.9% |
More for Edinburgh: all waiting times. England comparison: A&E waiting times in England.
Frequently asked questions
What is the A&E waiting time in Edinburgh?
In August 2026, 64.0% of attendances at NHS Lothian emergency departments were dealt with within 4 hours (Scotland: 66.7%).
Should I go to A&E or call 111?
If it is not an emergency, NHS 111 online or calling 111 can tell you where to go, including urgent treatment centres, which often have shorter waits. Call 999 or go to A&E for life-threatening emergencies such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding or signs of a stroke.
Where do these figures come from?
From Public Health Scotland (open data at opendata.nhs.scot), published under the Open Government Licence.