96% of cancer patients get prompt treatment 'but more needs done'

Published on Tuesday 18 August 2009 21:29

THE proportion of cancer patients starting treatment within two months has hit record levels in Scotland – but some still face longer waits.

Scottish Government figures show 96 per cent began treatment within 62 days of being urgently referred by their doctor in January to March, up from 95.4 per cent the previous quarter.

But three areas failed to hit the 95 per cent target, which was also missed for four types of cancer. A Fife patient with head and neck cancer waited 198 days.

Last month Scotland on Sunday – The Scotsman's sister paper – revealed some patients were waiting as long as a year, with average waits in some hospitals of over 100 days.

This is because the 62-day target does not include the thousands classed as "non-urgent" cases, where doctors have not flagged up cancer as a cause of their illness at referral.

Not all health boards reached the 62-day target. In NHS Grampian, 94 per cent of urgently referred cancer patients began treatment within 62 days, with 94.3 in Dumfries and Galloway and 91.7 in Western Isles.

While 98.9 per cent of breast cancer patients urgently referred started treatment within 62 days, only 89.3 per cent of those with head and neck cancer were treated in this time.

The 95 per cent target was not met for other cancers, including lymphoma (92.9), melanoma (92.9) and upper gastrointestinal cancers (93.5). In three types of cancer, performance fell on the previous quarter.

However Ms Sturgeon said she was "delighted" that the 95 per cent target had been met for two quarters in a row. "The challenge now is to strive for further improvements within specific NHS boards and cancer types."

Her "Better Cancer Care" strategy states patients should start treatment within 31 days of diagnosis by the end of 2011.

The target of having 95 per cent of urgently referred cancer patients begin treatment within 62 days was originally set in 2001.

Figures for January to March 2007 – just before the SNP came into power – showed 84.5 per cent of urgent cancer referrals beginning treatment within that time.

Labour health spokeswoman Cathy Jamieson said: "The Scottish Government is still missing its targets. Nicola Sturgeon needs to focus on ensuring improvements are made in health board areas currently failing."

Liberal Democrat health spokesman Ross Finnie raised concerns about the impact of a flu outbreak on cancer waiting times.

He said: "

The Health Secretary must make sure that the NHS is prepared to cope with the extra strain that a serious flu outbreak will put on the service."