NHS misses cancer waiting-time target

Published on 19/12/2012 00:11

The NHS has failed to meet a key cancer waiting-time target, new figures have revealed.

Between July and September, 94 per cent of patients started treatment within 62 days of being urgently referred, down from 95.3 per cent the previous quarter, and less than the Scottish Government’s target of 95 per cent. Health Secretary Alex Neil said: “More patients than ever before are being treated for cancer, with over 1,000 more patients per quarter now being included under each of the cancer waiting-times targets compared to early 2010.

“The earlier cancer is treated, the greater the chance of survival and our £30 million Detect Cancer Early programme aims to diagnose cancers earlier.”