Cancer patients in Scotland 'face completely unacceptable' waiting times for treatment

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Cancer patients in Scotland "face completely unacceptable" waiting times for treatment as the SNP Government continues to miss its target.

Around 1,200 patients on an urgent referral for a suspicion of cancer did not start treatment within 62 days, latest quarterly figures out today show.

The Scottish Government target is for 95 per cent of patients to begin treatment in that timeframe. Between July and September, that figure dropped to just 28 per cent.

Just one health board across Scotland hit the target - NHS Lanakrshire - while 13 others missed it.

Cancer Research UK said the waiting times faced by patients were "completely unacceptable" and urged the Scottish Government to provide "adequate funding for staff and equipment".

Dr Sorcha Hume said: “Prolonged waits for cancer treatment are completely unacceptable but time and time again these targets are missed. NHS staff are doing their best but they’re battling against underinvestment alongside rising cancer cases.

“If we’re to turn the tide on the anxiety faced by so many, we need to see adequate funding for staff and equipment. Innovative reform and rapid progress against Scotland’s cancer strategy is also essential.”

Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said: "Every Scot diagnosed with cancer should be able to access treatment quickly and effectively. It is emblematic of how SNP mismanagement has run our NHS into the ground that so many people are being forced to endure long waits to get the help they need.

“Timely treatment for cancer is a matter of life and death - the stakes here could simply not be higher.

“The Health Secretary needs to bring a new plan to the table and pull out all the stops to bring down waiting times. Staff and patients are tired of being continually failed by a government that is devoid of the energy and creativity we need to turn this around.”

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