National Waiting Times CentreSMR01 completeness for the National Waiting Times Centre (NWTC) for quarter ending September 2025 was 62%. The board have advised that this due to staff absences, including long term sickness, and time spent training new staff. Decreases were seen in all inpatient and day case activity when comparing July-September 2025 to the same quarter last year, likely due to their SMR backlog and lower completeness level. However, it should be noted that any changes are based on relatively small numbers, which will impact on the percentage change. From the pandemic onwards, the Golden Jubilee National Hospital has been broadening its scope of work and has been receiving a lot of new activity from other NHS Boards across various specialties. Since the end of the pandemic, there has been a long-term expansion plan to take on more General Surgery cases, which includes diagnostic endoscopies, colorectal, upper and lower GI. The hospital has been increasing their theatre capacity in line with their new theatre expansion in August/September 2024. This has seen an increase in both General Surgery and Orthopaedics. The NWTC also advised that they expect some variation and peaks in monthly general surgery episode activity due to seasonality, workforce and monthly allocations.SMR00 completeness for the NWTC for the quarter ending September 2025 was 100% for new attendances and 97% for return attendances. Decreases were seen in overall outpatient attendances when comparing July-September 2025 to the same quarter of the previous year. Return outpatient activity increased, while new outpatient activity decreased. However, it should be noted that any changes are based on relatively small numbers, which will impact on the percentage change. From the pandemic onwards, the Golden Jubilee National Hospital has been broadening its scope of work and has been receiving a lot of new activity from other NHS Boards across various specialties. Since the end of the pandemic, there has been a long-term expansion plan to take on more General Surgery cases, which includes diagnostic endoscopies, colorectal, upper and lower GI. The hospital has been increasing their theatre capacity in line with their new theatre expansion in August/September 2024. This has seen an increase in both General Surgery and Orthopaedics. The NWTC also advised that they expect some variation and peaks in monthly general surgery episode activity due to seasonality, workforce and monthly allocations.Increases were seen in the average number of available staffed beds and percentage occupancy when comparing July-September 2025 to the same quarter of the previous year. However, it should be noted that any changes are based on relatively small numbers, which will impact on the percentage change. From the pandemic onwards, the Golden Jubilee National Hospital has been broadening its scope of work and has been receiving a lot of new activity from other NHS Boards across various specialties. Since the end of the pandemic, there has been a long-term expansion plan to take on more General Surgery cases, which includes diagnostic endoscopies, colorectal, upper and lower GI. The hospital has been increasing their theatre capacity in line with their new theatre expansion in August/September 2024. This has seen an increase in both General Surgery and Orthopaedics. The NWTC also advised that they expect some variation and peaks in monthly general surgery episode activity due to seasonality, workforce and monthly allocations. NHS Ayrshire & ArranSMR01 completeness for NHS Ayrshire & Arran for the quarter ending September 2025 was 100%. Increases were seen in all inpatient and day case activity when comparing July-September 2025 to the same quarter last year. SMR00 completeness for NHS Ayrshire & Arran for the quarter ending September 2025 was 100% for both new and return attendances. Overall outpatient attendances increased when comparing July-September 2025 to the same quarter of the previous year. New outpatient activity increased, while return outpatient activity decreased. Slight increases were seen in the average number of available staffed beds, while percentage occupancy remained unchanged when comparing July-September 2025 to the same quarter of the previous year. NHS BordersSMR01 completeness for NHS Borders for the quarter ending September 2025 was 100%. Increases were seen in all inpatient and day case activity when comparing July-September 2025 to the same quarter last year. Large increases have been observed within the Respiratory Medicine specialty from 2023/24 onwards. Data Management are currently investigating this with the board.SMR00 completeness for NHS Borders for the quarter ending September 2025 was 100% for new attendances and 99% for return attendances. Decreases were seen in all outpatient attendances when comparing July-September 2025 to the same quarter of the previous year. NHS Borders have several records being coded with the Domiciliary Location 'D201N'. The board have advised that this activity is for Health Care Support Workers (HCSW) and that this activity has been excluded from SMR00 from April 2025. The board have further advised that Community Mental Health Team activity is also being recorded under the domiciliary location. PHS is considering how this activity should be recorded in the future. Decreases were seen in the average number of available staffed beds, while percentage occupancy increased when comparing July-September 2025 to the same quarter of the previous year. Decreases were seen in NHS Borders beds figures within the Geriatric Medicine specialty. Data Management are currently investigating this with the board. NHS Dumfries & GallowaySMR01 completeness for NHS Dumfries & Galloway for quarter ending September 2025 was 99%. Increases were seen in overall inpatient and day case activity, emergency inpatient and day case activity when comparing July-September 2025 to the same quarter last year. Elective inpatient activity decreased during the same period.SMR00 completeness) for NHS Dumfries & Galloway for the quarter ending September 2025 was 91% for new attendances and 93% for return attendances. Decreases were seen in all outpatient attendances when comparing July-September 2025 to the same quarter of the previous year. This is likely due to the SMR backlog and the lower completeness levels. Data Management has advised that there is a continuing NHS Dumfries & Galloway backlog. PHS Data Management has received no SMR00 Child & Adolescent Psychiatry records since March 2023 as the board is unable to extract these from their Morse system. The board have advised that they expect to resolve this issue in the future. Increases were seen in the average number of available staffed beds and percentage occupancy when comparing July-September 2025 to the same quarter of the previous year. NHS FifeSMR01 completeness for NHS Fife for the quarter ending September 2025 was 94%. Data management have advised that the slight reduction in completeness is due to time spent training staff. NHS Fife's historic backlog issues for previous quarters have been resolved. Decreases were seen in all inpatient and day case activity when comparing July-September 2025 to the same quarter last year. Since March 2023, the National Treatment Centre (NTC) in NHS Fife has been undertaking inpatient and day case activity. It is important to note that not all NTCs have a unique location code, and may be an expansion of an existing location, it is not currently possible to accurately differentiate between NTC activity and additional activity carried out within an NHS Board. Therefore, the NTC figures reported may not be reflective of all NTC activity.SMR00 completeness for NHS Fife for the quarter ending September 2025 was 100% for both new and return attendances. Increases were seen in all outpatient attendances when comparing July-September 2025 to the same quarter of the previous year. Since March 2023, the National Treatment Centre (NTC) in NHS Fife has been undertaking outpatient activity. It is important to note that not all NTCs have a unique location code, and may be an expansion of an existing location, it is not currently possible to accurately differentiate between NTC activity and additional activity carried out within an NHS Board. Therefore, NTC figures reported may not be reflective of all NTC activity.Decreases were seen in the average number of available staffed beds, while percentage occupancy increased when comparing July-September 2025 to the same quarter of the previous year. The decreases observed in NHS Fife's bed figures, are mainly driven by decreases in the General Medicine, General Surgery and Geriatric Medicine - units other than long stay specialties. NHS Fife have said that their bed reductions are due to service reconfiguration/ward changes such as the closure of their surgical short stay ward and their Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) unit and other wards reducing their beds. The board have also advised that several wards that were previously General Medicine have now changed to Respiratory Medicine, and that they no longer have any inpatient vascular bed allocation which will account for future reductions in General Surgery specialties. Since March 2023, the National Treatment Centre (NTC) in NHS Fife has been undertaking inpatient and day case activity. It is important to note that not all NTCs have a unique location code, and may be an expansion of an existing location, it is not currently possible to accurately differentiate between NTC activity and additional activity carried out within an NHS Board. Therefore, NTC figures reported may not be reflective of all NTC activity. NHS Forth ValleySMR01 completeness for NHS Forth Valley for the quarter ending September 2025 was 97%. Increases were seen in overall inpatient and day case activity, emergency and elective inpatient activity when comparing July-September 2025 to the same quarter last year. Day case activity decreased during the same period. Decreases have been observed in day cases for the specialty of Ophthalmology, at the same time elective inpatients have risen. The board have advised this is due to the move of their theatre list from Forth Valley Community Hospital to Forth Valley Royal Hospital. Large increases have been observed within the Gastroenterology and Respiratory Medicine specialties in 2024/25. The board have confirmed that there has been significant change in their Gastroenterology services and that the increase in Respiratory Medicine activity is due to the addition of two new consultants. Large decreases have been observed in NHS Forth Valley transfers within the Geriatric Medicine specialty. The board have advised that there are more discharge transfers to community and Hospital at Home for Geriatric Medicine. Since October 2024, the National Treatment Centre (NTC) in NHS Forth Valley has been undertaking inpatient and day case activity. It is important to note that not all NTCs have a unique location code, and may be an expansion of an existing location, it is not currently possible to accurately differentiate between NTC activity and additional activity carried out within an NHS Board. Therefore, the NTC figures reported may not be reflective of all NTC activity.SMR00 completeness for NHS Forth Valley for the quarter ending September 2025 was 100% for both new and return attendances. Increases were seen in overall outpatient attendances when comparing July-September 2025 to the same quarter of the previous year. Return outpatient activity increased, while new outpatient activity decreased slightly. Decreases were observed in Gastroenterology return attendances since March 2024. The board have advised that the decrease was due to the Telephone and Near Me appointments being linked to the Domiciliary Location 'D201N'. This recording practice was changed at the end of 2024, and these appointments have now been linked back to Forth Valley Royal Hospital. Increases were seen in all Plastic Surgery attendances when comparing April-Jun 2025 quarter compared to the previous year. The board have advised this increase is due to a 'mutual aid' campaign with NHS Lothian.Increases were seen in the average number of available staffed beds, while percentage occupancy decreased when comparing July-September 2025 to the same quarter of the previous year. Since October 2024, the National Treatment Centre (NTC) in NHS Forth Valley has been undertaking inpatient and day case activity. It is important to note that not all NTCs have a unique location code, and may be an expansion of an existing location, it is not currently possible to accurately differentiate between NTC activity and additional activity carried out within an NHS Board. Therefore, NTC figures reported may not be reflective of all NTC activity. NHS GrampianSMR01 completeness for NHS Grampian for the quarter ending September 2025 was 91%. NHS Grampian's SMR backlog has been improving in recent months but historic backlog issues still remain for previous quarters. Data Management has advised that the SMR backlog is due to resourcing issues. The board are short staffed and are continuing to try and recruit to their vacancies to address and rectify this issue. The board are aiming to clear the backlog over a period of 3-6 months (post recruitment). Increases were seen in all inpatient and day case activity when comparing July-September 2025 to the same quarter last year. Increases were seen in NHS Grampian within the Gastroenterology specialty. Data Management are investigating this with the board.SMR00 completeness for NHS Grampian for the quarter ending September 2025 was 100% for both new and return attendances. Decreases were seen in all outpatient attendances when comparing July-September 2025 to the same quarter of the previous year. Decreases have been observed in Trauma and Orthopaedic surgery attendances. The board have confirmed that there was decreased activity over the winter period, since then activity has increased. Decreases have been seen in Ophthalmology return attendances. The board have advised that there has been an increase in Nurse-led activity, and therefore a decrease in consultant activity. Increases have been observed in Ear, Nose, and Throat return attendances. Data management are investigating with the board. Large increases have been seen in Plastic Surgery new attendances in July-September 2025. Data management are investigating this with the board.The average number of available staffed beds slightly increased, while percentage occupancy decreased slightly when comparing July-September 2025 to the same quarter of the previous year. NHS Greater Glasgow & ClydeSMR01 completeness for NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde for the quarter ending September 2025 was 98%. Increases were seen in all inpatient and day case activity when comparing July-September 2025 to the same quarter last year. SMR00 completeness for NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde for the quarter ending September 2025 was 100% for both new and return attendances. Slight decreases were seen in overall outpatient attendances when comparing July-September 2025 to the same quarter of the previous year. Return outpatient activity decreased, while new outpatient activity increased. Decreases have been observed in Gynaecology attendances. Data management are investigating this with the board.Increases were seen in the average number of available staffed beds, while percentage occupancy decreased slightly when comparing July-September 2025 to the same quarter of the previous year. Large increases have been observed in NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde bed figures within the Endocrinology and diabetes specialty. Data Management are currently investigating this with the board. Decreases have been seen in NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde bed figures within the Psychiatry of old age specialty. Data Management are currently investigating this with the board. NHS HighlandSMR01 completeness for NHS Highland for the quarter ending September 2025 was 97%. Increases were seen in overall inpatient and day case activity, elective inpatient activity, and day case activity when comparing July-September 2025 to the same quarter last year. Emergency inpatient activity decreased during the same period. During 2023, large decreases have been observed in day cases for the Haematology specialty. Data Management is currently investigating this with the board. Since April 2023, the National Treatment Centre (NTC) in NHS Highland has been undertaking inpatient and day case activity. It is important to note that not all NTCs have a unique location code, and may be an expansion of an existing location, it is not currently possible to accurately differentiate between NTC activity and additional activity carried out within an NHS Board. Therefore, the NTC figures reported may not be reflective of all NTC activity.SMR00 completeness for NHS Highland for the quarter ending September 2025 was 100% for both new and return attendances. Increases were seen in all outpatient attendances when comparing July-September 2025 to the same quarter of the previous year. Decreases have been seen in return Anaesthetics attendances in NHS Highland from 2022/23 onwards. The board have informed that they are investigating, but the decreases could potentially be due to clinic/clinician setup issues in Trak. Decreases have been observed in Gastroenterology attendances. The board have informed that they are investigating, but the decreases could potentially be due to clinic/clinician setup issues in Trak. Since April 2023, the National Treatment Centre (NTC) in NHS Highland has been undertaking outpatient activity. It is important to note that not all NTCs have a unique location code, and may be an expansion of an existing location, it is not currently possible to accurately differentiate between NTC activity and additional activity carried out within an NHS Board. Therefore, NTC figures reported may not be reflective of all NTC activity.Increases were seen in the average number of available staffed beds and percentage occupancy when comparing July-September 2025 to the same quarter of the previous year. Since April 2023, the National Treatment Centre (NTC) in NHS Highland has been undertaking inpatient and day case activity. It is important to note that not all NTCs have a unique location code, and may be an expansion of an existing location, it is not currently possible to accurately differentiate between NTC activity and additional activity carried out within an NHS Board. Therefore, NTC figures reported may not be reflective of all NTC activity. NHS LanarkshireSMR01 completeness for NHS Lanarkshire for the quarter ending September 2025 was 98%. Increases were seen in overall inpatient and day case activity, and emergency inpatient activity when comparing July-September 2025 to the same quarter last year. Elective inpatient activity and day case activity decreased during the same period. Increases were seen in NHS Lanarkshire within the Urology specialty. Data Management are investigating this with the board.SMR00 completeness for NHS Lanarkshire for the quarter ending September 2025 was 100% for both new and return attendances. Increases were seen in all outpatient attendances when comparing July-September 2025 to the same quarter of the previous year. Increases have been seen in Dermatology return attendances from April 2024 onwards. The board have said that the key issue driving this is their use of Insourcing through Medicare. The Medicare Consultants are generating multiple return appointments for each patient. The board would like to discuss this with the Medicare Consultants to reduce the burden of additional return demand but have not yet been able to do so.Small increases were seen in the average number of available staffed beds when comparing July-September 2025 to the same quarter of the previous year. The percentage occupancy slightly decreased during the same period. NHS Lanarkshire has reviewed its beds figures and has retroactively updated their bed submissions back to July 2023 to reflect old ward closures. NHS LothianSMR01 completeness for NHS Lothian for the quarter ending September 2025 was 93%. Data management have advised that the slightly lower completeness levels are due to a backlog over the festive period which should be resolved over the coming months. Increases were seen in overall inpatient and day case activity, and day cases when comparing July-September 2025 to the same quarter last year. Emergency and elective inpatient activity both decreased during the same period. Decreases have been seen in Ophthalmology day case activity within NHS Lothian from October 2024-June 2025. The board have advised that this is due to the temporary closure of the Edinburgh Eye Pavillion's 3 theatres, and that a lot of this activity was carried out at the Golden Jubilee University National Hospital. Decreases have been observed in NHS Lothian inpatient and day case activity within the Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery specialty. Data Management are investigating this with the board.SMR00 completeness for NHS Lothian for the quarter ending September 2025 was 100% for both new and return attendances. Increases were seen in overall outpatient attendances when comparing July-September 2025 to the same quarter of the previous year. New outpatient activity increased, while return outpatient activity decreased slightly. Decreases have been seen in Dermatology attendances from July 2024 onwards. The board have advised that there have been long waits for Dermatology, so they have concentrated on new appointments. Return appointments are now processed through PIFU (Patient Initiated Follow Up). Increases have been observed in all Learning Disabilities attendances and all Oral Medicine attendances for the April-July 2025 quarter compared to the previous year The board have confirmed that these increases are due to a reconfiguration of a Trak build for these services. Large increases in General Psychiatry return attendances have been seen from 2024 onwards. Data Management is currently investigating this with the board. Increases in Psychiatry of Old Age attendances have been seen from 2025 onwards. Data Management is currently investigating this with the board.Decreases were seen in the average number of available staffed beds and percentage occupancy when comparing July-September 2025 to the same quarter of the previous year. Decreases have been seen in NHS Lothian's inpatient bed figures within the Accident & Emergency specialty. Data Management are currently investigating this with the board. Decreases have been seen in NHS Lothian available beds figures within the Geriatric Medicine and Psychiatry of old age specialties. The board have advised that decreases in Geriatric Medicine are due to the closure of one of the elderly medicine wards and this being used as a decant ward for Acute Medicine patients. The reductions in the Psychiatry of old age specialty are due to service reconfigurations such as site closure and repurposing. NHS OrkneySMR01 completeness for NHS Orkney for the quarter ending September 2025 was 100%. Decreases were seen in overall inpatient and day case activity, and emergency inpatient activity when comparing July-September 2025 to the same quarter last year. Elective inpatient activity and day case activity both increased during the same period. However, it should be noted that any changes are based on relatively small numbers which will impact on the percentage change.SMR00 completeness for NHS Orkney for the quarter ending September 2025 was 100% for both new and return attendances.Increases were seen in the average number of available staffed beds and percentage occupancy when comparing July-September 2025 to the same quarter of the previous year. However, it should be noted that any changes are based on relatively small numbers, which will impact on the percentage change. NHS ShetlandSMR01 completeness for NHS Shetland for the quarter ending September 2025 was 64%. Data Management has advised that the SMR backlog is due to resourcing issues, but that NHS Shetland have funding for coding resource so improvement should be seen in future submissions. Decreases were seen in overall inpatient and day case, emergency inpatient and day case activity when comparing July-September 2025 to the same quarter last year. This is likely due to the SMR backlog and lower completeness level. Elective inpatient activity increased during the same period. However, it should be noted that any changes are based on relatively small numbers, which will impact on the percentage change. NHS Shetland has previously said that there will be fluctuations monthly, quarterly and annually, and that this is natural variation due to the small numbers involved within its services.SMR00 completeness for NHS Shetland for the quarter ending September 2025 was 100% for both new and return attendances. Decreases were seen in all outpatient attendances when comparing July-September 2025 to the same quarter of the previous year. However, it should be noted that any changes are based on relatively small numbers, which will impact on the percentage change. NHS Shetland has previously said that there will be fluctuations monthly, quarterly and annually, and that this is natural variation due to the small numbers involved in its services.Increases were seen in the average number of available staffed beds, while percentage occupancy decreased when comparing July-September 2025 to the same quarter of the previous year. However, it should be noted that any changes are based on relatively small numbers, which will impact on the percentage change. NHS Shetland has previously said that there will be fluctuations monthly, quarterly, and annually, and that this is natural variation due to the small numbers involved in its services. NHS TaysideSMR01 completeness for NHS Tayside for the quarter ending September 2025 was 95%. Increases were seen in overall inpatient and day case activity, emergency inpatient and day case activity when comparing July-September 2025 to the same quarter last year. Elective inpatient activity decreased during the same period. SMR00 completeness for NHS Tayside for the quarter ending September 2025 was 92% for new attendances and 85% for return attendances. Data Management has advised that NHS Tayside's SMR backlog is due to Trakcare system issues around amending errors and resubmitting records. Increases were seen in overall outpatient attendances when comparing July-September 2025 to the same quarter of the previous year. Return outpatient activity slightly decreased, while new outpatient activity increased. Large increases in return Anaesthetics attendances have been seen in NHS Tayside from 2022 onwards, driven by large increases at Ninewells and Stracathro Hospitals. Data Management is currently investigating this with the board but have advised that these increases may be due to activity being incorrectly recorded as consultant-led activity rather than nurse-led. Decreases were seen in the average number of available staffed beds and percentage occupancy when comparing July-September 2025 to the same quarter of the previous year. During 2022-2023, large increases have been observed in NHS Tayside's bed figures, particularly for the General Medicine specialty. Data Management have investigated and informed that the board have been recording bed complements against a clinical / significant facility (significant facility 39 Ambulatory Emergency Care) that only provides outpatient and day case services. This recording practice has reduced from 2024 onwards. Data Management have advised that since the recording of emergency care is being reviewed nationally that NHS Tayside should hold off amending any significant facility 39 records until guidance has been agreed. NHS Western IslesSMR01 completeness for NHS Western Isles for the quarter ending September 2025 was 100%. Increases were seen in overall inpatient and day case activity, elective inpatient and day case activity when comparing July-September 2025 to the same quarter last year. Emergency inpatient activity decreased during the same period. However, it should be noted that any changes are based on relatively small numbers which will impact on the percentage change.SMR00 completeness for NHS Western Isles for the quarter ending September 2025 was 100% for both new and return attendances. Decreases were seen in all outpatient attendances when comparing July-September 2025 to the same quarter of the previous year. However, it should be noted that any changes are based on relatively small numbers, which will impact on the percentage change. Decreases were seen in the average number of available staffed beds and percentage occupancy when comparing July-September 2025 to the same quarter of the previous year. However, it should be noted that any changes are based on relatively small numbers, which will impact on the percentage change. Non-NHS ProviderNon-NHS Provider figures relate to patients treated in non-NHS locations such as private hospitals, hospices, nursing homes, care homes, etc. Patients who receive treatment paid for by the respective NHS Board at a private (independent) hospital should be recorded within the SMR by the relevant NHS Board. However, if a patient is treated privately (where treatment is paid for by the patient or a private insurer) and there is no NHS involvement, then this activity will not be recorded within the SMR. The data recording/completeness of non-NHS provider data varies from year to year. PHS does not collate information on the completeness of activity recorded by non-NHS providers, and such data may not be reflective of all non-NHS provider activity. Therefore, please treat any data provided with caution. It should also be noted that any changes in activity (both increases and decreases) are based on small numbers, which will impact on the percentage change.Non-NHS Provider figures relate to patients treated in non-NHS locations such as private hospitals, hospices, nursing homes, care homes, etc. Patients who receive treatment paid for by the respective NHS Board at a private (independent) hospital should be recorded within the SMR by the relevant NHS Board. However, if a patient is treated privately (where treatment is paid for by the patient or a private insurer) and there is no NHS involvement, then this activity will not be recorded within the SMR. The data recording/completeness of non-NHS provider data varies from year to year. PHS does not collate information on the completeness of activity recorded by non-NHS providers, and such data may not be reflective of all non-NHS provider activity. Therefore, please treat any data provided with caution. It should also be noted that any changes in activity (both increases and decreases) are based on small numbers, which will impact on the percentage change. National Facility NHS Louisa JordanNHS Louisa Jordan undertook day case activity (across several specialties) from January 2021 up until the end of March 2021, when the hospital closed. NHS Louisa Jordan undertook outpatient activity (across several specialties) from July 2020 up until the end of March 2021, when the hospital closed. ScotlandNHSScotland SMR01 data are estimated to be 95% complete for the for the quarter ending September 2025. There are some outstanding records yet to be submitted and some data quality issues to be aware of. Total inpatient and day case activity increased in most boards. The largest mainland board increase was in NHS Grampian (+21.6%). The largest decrease was in the National Waiting Times Centre (NWTC) (-22.6%) likely due to the SMR backlog and lower completeness level. NHS Ayrshire & Arran, NHS Borders, NHS Grampian and NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde were the only boards where all elective and emergency inpatient and day case activity increased. NHS Fife and the NWTC were the only boards where all elective and emergency inpatient and day case activity decreased. Observed trends may be influenced by data submission completeness, small numbers, seasonal variation, and wider contextual factors, including the lasting effects of the COVID 19 pandemic on the volume and pattern of acute hospital activity. Therefore, caution should be taken when comparing quarterly information.NHSScotland SMR00 data are estimated to be 99% complete for new attendances and 98% complete for return attendances for the quarter ending September 2025. There are some outstanding records yet to be submitted and some data quality issues to be aware of. Please note that there are several NHS Boards where the Data Management Team is unable to accurately measure completeness, as coding reports are not received from these NHS Boards. The NHS Boards affected are Borders, Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Highland, Orkney and Shetland. Reported completeness figures may change as more information becomes available. Outpatient activity increased in most boards. The largest mainland board increase was in NHS Lanarkshire (+5.5%), while the largest decrease was in NHS Borders (-11.8%). DNA rates decreased in most boards. The largest mainland board DNA rate was in NHS Tayside (9.5%), and the smallest DNA rate was in the National Waiting Times Centre (NWTC) (5.0%). Observed trends may be influenced by data submission completeness, small numbers, seasonal variation, and wider contextual factors, including the lasting effects of the COVID 19 pandemic on the volume and pattern of acute hospital activity. Therefore, caution should be taken when comparing quarterly information. Most NHS Boards increased their average available staffed beds for acute specialties. The largest mainland board increase was in the National Waiting Times Centre (NWTC) (+6.6%), while the largest decrease was in NHS Borders (-12.5%). The percentage occupancy decreased in most boards. The largest mainland board decrease in percentage occupancy was in NHS Forth Valley (-6.3 percentage points), while the largest increase was in NHS Fife (+4.2 percentage points). The percentage occupancy was higher than 90% in fewer than half the boards. The largest mainland board percentage occupancy was in NHS Ayrshire & Arran (96.8%) while the smallest percentage occupancy was in NHS Forth Valley (71.9%). Observed trends may be influenced by data submission completeness, small numbers, seasonal variation, and wider contextual factors, including the lasting effects of the COVID 19 pandemic on the volume and pattern of acute hospital activity.. Therefore, caution should be taken when comparing quarterly information. Unknown Health BoardUnknown Health Board refers to locations or residences that cannot be attributed to any of the other NHS Boards. Sharp increases were observed in this category from April 2020 onwards. The main reason for these increases was the submission of records with an 'unknown location' code ('D299N: Location not otherwise coded'). This resulted in the Health Board of treatment not being derived. Instead of being allocated to the actual NHS Board, the activity is instead categorised against Unknown Health Board. Increased use of the 'unknown location' code can be attributed to uncertainty in the provision of outpatient clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinics are set up as a mixture of face-to-face, telephone, video link and 'Near Me' appointments. However, this code has been used as a workaround during the pandemic when the location of activity was not known. This made the setting-up of clinics simpler in TrakCare. The unknown location code has been used by several NHS Boards, predominantly by NHS Tayside and NHS Borders, although use of the code substantially decreased around 2022 onwards. Outpatient 'unknowns' are now back to similar pre-pandemic levels.