Cancer move to save cash

CANCER equipment for Edinburgh will be bought for the whole of Scotland, a move that will save NHS boards millions of pounds, ministers have said.

The Scottish Government has struck a 22 million deal for radiotherapy items to be procured on a Scotland-wide basis.

Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon said the move would be more efficient than individual boards having their own deals.

She said: "We are determined to build on the good progress made in cancer treatment.

"Cancer is being diagnosed and treated earlier, and new targets in cancer waiting times are being met ahead of schedule.

"But further efforts to improve patient survival rates are essential."