New cancer figures show three out of ten Scots waiting too long for treatment
The statistics have been described as 'terrifying'
Last updated 27th Jun 2023
More than three out of 10 cancer patients in Scotland are having to wait longer than two months to start treatment.
That's according to figures published by the Scottish Government for the first quarter of the year - which are the worst on record.
The target is for 95% of patients to start receiving treatment within 62 days of being referred with an urgent suspicion of cancer.
But in the first three months of 2023 that was achieved for just 69.4% of patients, down from the 71.7% that was achieved from October to December 2022.
Response from cancer charity
Kate Seymour, head of advocacy at Macmillan Cancer Support described the figures as "unacceptable".
She said: "The sad reality is that cancer care is in crisis after years of the government's failure to act."
The news comes after the Scottish Government launched its new 10-year cancer strategy to tackle the disease.
But figures from Public Health Scotland show the 62-day standard was not met for any cancer type - with less than a third of prostate cancer patients getting help within that timescale.
The target has not been achieved for 95% of patients since the final quarter of 2012 - over a decade ago.
The latest statistics also show that none of Scotland's 15 regional NHS boards achieved this target.
Opposition criticism
The Scottish Conservatives branded the situation as "utterly disgraceful", with health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane stating: "These terrifying figures should be a source of shame for the SNP Government."
Labour health spokesperson Jackie Baillie also criticised the government, saying the findings should come as a "red alert" to ministers.
She added: "Cancer remains Scotland's biggest killer - but it is clear that thousands of Scots are waiting an unacceptably long time to be treated.
"NHS staff are working tirelessly but are being failed by this government and its inadequate cancer plan."
Government response
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "NHS Scotland remains under pressure and this is reflected in the fact that we're treating more patients on 62 and 31-day pathways than before the Covid-19 pandemic.
"There has been almost 800 additional cancer patients treated this quarter alone, compared to the same time pre-pandemic.
"Cancer remains a national priority, within the Scottish Government and across NHS Scotland, with urgent suspicion of cancer referrals continuing to be prioritised.
"That is why we have recently announced the new 10-year Cancer Strategy which takes a comprehensive approach to improving patient pathways, from prevention and diagnosis through to treatment and post-treatment care."