MSPs have expressed concern patients in Scotland are not receiving hospital treatment quickly enough.
Under Scottish government rules, there is a legal right to treatment within 12 weeks of it being agreed.
But from 1 October 2012 to 31 March 2013, there were 1,217 recorded breaches of the guarantee.
Holyrood's public audit committee has been assessing an Audit Scotland investigation into NHS financial performance and waiting lists.
In the report of its findings, the committee has called for more support to help NHS Scotland meet its targets.
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End Quote Alex Neil Health SecretaryWaiting time targets are important and the length of time patients are waiting has improved dramatically over recent years"
Convener Hugh Henry said: "Our committee has genuine concern that many patients in Scotland are not receiving the treatment they are fully entitled to receive within 12 weeks of their treatment being agreed.
"We note the Scottish government's explanation that although patients have a legal right to treatment, for various reasons, 100% compliance will be difficult to achieve.
"The committee also notes that there have been improvements in waiting lists over the years."
Reduce breachesHe added: "During the six months from 1st October 2012 to 31st March 2013 alone, there were 1,217 recorded breaches of the Treatment Time Guarantee.
"That's NHS patients not receiving the service to which they are legally entitled.
"We have therefore called for the Scottish government to explain how it will monitor and support the NHS to reduce these breaches."
Since March 2010, no patient should have to wait more than 12 weeks for their first outpatient appointment.
But only three boards - Orkney, Western Isles and the Golden Jubilee National Hospital - have met the guarantee each month since its introduction.
Health Secretary Alex Neil described the public audit committee's report as "useful and constructive" and said he would respond to it fully in due course.
He added: "Waiting time targets are important and the length of time patients are waiting has improved dramatically over recent years.
"Indeed, patients now benefit from the treatment time guarantee and we are consistently treating close to 100% of people within that time.
"In the context of the thousands of people who use the NHS every day, this is an achievement to be welcomed. But we know we must continue to strive to get as close to 100% as possible and we will be working with boards across Scotland to ensure investment and clear plans are in place to go on improving performance."
Last week, it was also revealed fewer patients are being treated by the NHS within the government's target of 18 weeks after they have been referred by their GP.
For the first time since the system was introduced, the proportion fell below 90%.
MSPs raise NHS waiting time concerns
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