Previously the government reported A&E waiting times quarterly, despite all health boards in Scotland providing government officials with weekly A&E reports.

Starting from March 3 the government will report weekly.

Jackie Baillie, Dumbarton and the Vale’s MSP, called for the new system of reporting A&E statistics due to the situation at the RAH, where some patients reported waiting for up to 20 hours for a bed.

Concerns led the Scottish Government to send in the support team in a bid to bring waiting times in line with national targets.

Last month 84 per cent of the hospital’s A&E patients were treated within the required four hours — compared to the national target of 95 per cent.

Ms Baillie said: “I welcome the Scottish Government’s U-turn on weekly reporting. Only a few weeks ago the SNP was totally opposed to ending the culture of secrecy in the NHS.

“When Scottish Labour asked for statistics to be published weekly the SNP Health Secretary said it would be ‘political interference’.

“I want Scotland to have the most transparent health service in the world so we can better serve patients and understand the pressure NHS staff are under.

“The crisis currently playing out at A&E across Scotland, including at the RAH, should no longer be hidden from people in Dumbarton, the Vale of Leven and Helensburgh.

“I am glad the Edinburgh Government has answered Labour’s call for weekly reporting but now it must get on with fixing the mess at the RAH. Patients and hardworking NHS staff deserve better.” The new weekly figures will detail patients attending each A&E and the number waiting longer than four, eight and 12 hours.