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More than 800 deaths in Scotland are believed to be linked to long A&E waits . ‌

The Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) found 76,510 people waiting longer than 12 hours in emergency departments last year, up by 20,432 from the previous year . ‌

Of those long waits, 58,906 were waiting to be admitted to a ward . ‌

The RCEM estimates 818 excess deaths were recorded in relation to stays of 12 hours or longer.

Dr Fiona Hunter, the vice president of RCEM Scotland, said the figures laid bare a “national tragedy”.

She said: “Behind this statistic are stories of heartbreak." ‌

“Because these are people. Mums, dads, brothers, sisters, grandparents – their deaths shattering the lives of families and friends.

“These are patients who are sick and need

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