Ms Sturgeon said:

"I welcome this report on waiting times in the NHS. The report highlights the fact that there has been significant progress in meeting targets for patients with waiting time guarantees, which we wholeheartedly welcome. NHS staff should be congratulated on the work they have undertaken to meet this challenge.

"However, the report makes clear that 'the total number of people for inpatient and day case treatment has changed little in the last two years' and that 'the NHS faces a major challenge in meeting more ambitious waiting time targets in the future'.

"The report also reveals the true extent of hidden waiting lists, that is the number of people without waiting time guarantees, which has increased as most of these patients have been waiting over six months.

"Andy Kerr must now acknowledge that those on hidden waiting lists cannot be ignored any longer. The Health Minister is misleading the public by continuing to claim that no-one is waiting more than six months for in-patient and day care treatment, when the reality is that there are 24,000 patients in this situation.

"In addition, I particularly welcome the report's suggestion that involving patients about where they are treated could hep reduce waiting times. As part of the SNP Patient's Rights proposals, we shall promote greater involvement and choice for patients as to where and when they are treated.

"Finally, the report comments on the increased use of the private sector to cut waiting times and characterises the private sector as being 'relatively high cost'. The private sector may provide short-term fixes for Andy Kerr, but it does so at a disproportionate cost and by taking money away from the NHS.

"As Health Minister, Andy Kerr must now take clear and decisive action to ensure that patients using the NHS are treated as quickly and efficiently as possible. The continued practice of putting people on a hidden waiting list deceives the public and must be stopped. The patients of Scotland deserve the truth and the best possible treatment, not spin from the Health Minister."