Cole-Hamilton: Cancer waiting times “nowhere near good enough”

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has today told the SNP Government that cancer waiting times are “nowhere near good enough” as new figures show that waiting times for cancer treatment are among the worst ever.

Public Health Scotland figures reveal that in the quarter ending 31st December 2023, only 73.5% of patients were treated within the target of 62 days from referral.

The 62-day treatment standard, that 95% of eligible patients should wait no longer than 62 days from urgent suspicion of cancer referral to first cancer treatment, has not been met since 2012. 80% or more of patients haven’t been seen within the standard since the end of September 2021, while the last time 75% or more of patients were seen within the standard was the quarter ending 30 June 2022.

The Scottish Government launched its revised Cancer Strategy 2023-2033 in June 2023.

Mr Cole-Hamilton said:

“It’s hugely worrying to see that waiting times are still far longer than they should be for thousands of people across Scotland. The government’s cancer strategy risks becoming meaningless to everyone suffering these long waits.

“We know that this is a matter of life and death, with early intervention being crucial to chances of survival. Patients deserve to be treated quickly and effectively, instead many are being forced to endure lengthy waits – that is nowhere near good enough.

“The Health Secretary needs to pull out all the stops and prove that things can get better on his watch. Staff and patients are tired of being continually failed by a government that can’t match its words with action.”