PATIENTS in the Scottish Borders are waiting too long for key diagnostic tests, new Scottish Government figures have revealed.

In the first six months of the year, 760 patients waited more than six weeks for a key endoscopy or radiology diagnostic test.

The data, which refers to eight types of tests including CT and MRI scans, shows that around a quarter of 7933 patients waited over a month to be examined, with almost ten per cent waiting more than the six-week target time.

A decade ago, Holyrood reduced the target waiting time to six weeks but are so far failing to reach the targets.

Colin Smyth MSP (Lab, South of Scotland), has highlighted his concerns over the current figures.

He said: "It is deeply worrying to hear that hundreds of patients locally are having to wait way beyond what is supposed to be a legally binding waiting time of six weeks.

"It's clear that the SNP waiting times law isn't worth the paper it is written on.

"Every time that law is broken, it can leave a patient in pain or distress as they wait to get treatment they need and that is just not acceptable."

Smyth also claimed that the SNP government are failing to properly resource NHS Borders to allow doctors and nurses to meet those targets.

Chistine Grahame MSP (SNP, Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) has admitted her disappointment at the figures, but also announced extra funding to combat the problem.

She said: "It's an unfortunate reality that the NHS is facing difficulties in recruitment, aggravated by the current uncertainty around immigration created by Brexit.

"However, the Scottish Government is taking action to tackle this, with an extra £32 million being announced last month to reduce waiting times, in addition to the £70 million announced in April.

"There is no silver bullet for waiting times, but I hope that the investments being made show the "Scottish Government’s commitment to this and will show results for patients.”