Scotland diagnostics data for June 2026, published 25 August 2026
Ultrasound waiting times in Edinburgh
Waiting times for non-obstetric ultrasounds at 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).
Non-obstetric ultrasound uses sound waves to look at organs such as the liver, kidneys, thyroid and pelvis. Pregnancy scans are not included in these figures.
At the end of the month (June 2026), 3,944 people were waiting for an non-obstetric ultrasound at NHS Lothian, of whom 333 (8.4%) had waited more than 6 weeks. Across Scotland the figure was 26.9%; a lower percentage is better. Scottish diagnostic figures count people waiting more than 6 weeks (42 days) at the end of the month, from Public Health Scotland.
NHS Lothian: % waiting over 6 weeks for ultrasound Scotland
| Month | NHS Lothian % over 6 weeks | Scotland % over 6 weeks |
|---|---|---|
| June 2026 | 8.4% | 26.9% |
| May 2026 | 11.3% | 25.8% |
| April 2026 | 12.5% | 26.0% |
| March 2026 | 10.0% | 20.9% |
| February 2026 | 17.8% | 24.1% |
| January 2026 | 32.4% | 37.2% |
| Health board | % over 6 weeks |
|---|---|
| NHS Fife | 0.1% |
| NHS Ayrshire and Arran | 0.8% |
| NHS Highland | 1.2% |
| Golden Jubilee National Hospital | 2.7% |
| NHS Borders | 3.6% |
| NHS Orkney | 5.3% |
| NHS Lothian | 8.4% |
| NHS Western Isles | 12.1% |
| NHS Dumfries and Galloway | 15.7% |
| NHS Forth Valley | 16.1% |
| NHS Grampian | 22.5% |
| NHS Tayside | 34.1% |
| NHS Shetland | 38.9% |
| NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde | 39.8% |
| NHS Lanarkshire | 40.0% |
Ultrasound waits in nearby towns
| Nearby town | Distance | Main trust or board | Ultrasound waiting over 6 weeks | Waiting list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kirkcaldy | 11 miles | NHS Fife | 0.1% | 1,358 |
| Dunfermline | 13 miles | NHS Fife | 0.1% | 1,358 |
| Hamilton | 35 miles | NHS Lanarkshire | 40.0% | 5,884 |
| East Kilbride | 41 miles | NHS Lanarkshire | 40.0% | 5,884 |
| Glasgow | 42 miles | NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde | 39.8% | 10,587 |
| Aberdeen | 93 miles | NHS Grampian | 22.5% | 3,258 |
| Inverness | 113 miles | NHS Highland | 1.2% | 1,121 |
More for Edinburgh: all waiting times · MRI · CT · Endoscopy. England comparison: Ultrasound waiting times in England.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the wait for an non-obstetric ultrasound in Edinburgh?
8.4% of the 3,944 people waiting at NHS Lothian had waited more than 6 weeks (June 2026), compared with 26.9% across Scotland.
Why is this not the same measure as England?
Scottish diagnostic figures count people waiting more than 6 weeks (42 days) at the end of the month, from Public Health Scotland. England reports the share waiting under 6 weeks from NHS England’s DM01 return.
Where do these figures come from?
From Public Health Scotland (open data at opendata.nhs.scot), published under the Open Government Licence.