MSP hails quicker treatment for Scottish cancer patients

Published on Wednesday 19 August 2009 09:59

LOTHIANS SNP MSP and former Wester Hailes GP Dr Ian McKee has hailed new figures showing more cancer patients than ever before are being treated within two months of being diagnosed.

Statistics revealed 96 per cent of all urgently-referred patients in Scotland who were diagnosed with cancer between January and March this year began their treatment within 62 days.

In Lothian, 334 out of 346 urgently referred patients – or 96.5 per cent – were treated within the target time.

Dr McKee said: "Everyone deserves the best possible care in our NHS and these figures show that through hard work and by working together we are delivering the best treatment in the time needed.

"There is always more that can be done to keep Scotland healthy. Meeting this target is a major step toward tackling one of the big three killers in Scotland."

When the SNP came to power in 2007 only 84.5 per cent of patients received treatment within two months.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "This is NHS Scotland's best ever performance against the 62-day cancer waiting times target. The challenge now is to strive for improvements."