Targets being met for cancer waiting times in Scotland

CANCER waiting times targets are continuing to be met by the NHS in Scotland, official figures today showed.

In the last year, almost 22,000 patients were treated within the 31-day standard, and almost 12,000 started treatment within 62 days.

All patients that were urgently referred with a suspicion of cancer from the breast screening programme were seen within 62 days of referral, according to the health service statistics.

Health Secretary Alex Neil said: “We know how important it is for both patients and their families to have as short a wait as possible for both diagnostic tests and treatment and that is why we are continuing to drive down waiting times for cancer patients across Scotland.

“Alongside this our £30 million Detect Cancer Early programme aims to diagnose cancers earlier and treat patients when less aggressive treatment is required. Together all of this will improve survival and reap benefits for patients, their families and all of Scotland.”

Between April and June this year, 95.3 per cent of patients suspected to have cancer started treatment within the target time of 62 days after urgent referral.

Within the same period, 98 per cent of patients started treatment within the target of 31 days once the decision to treat had been made. The standard set by the Scottish Government for both the 31 day and 62 day measures is 95 per cent.