New cancer strategy “ringing hollow” as waiting times worsen

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has today warned the SNP Government that its new cancer strategy risks “ringing hollow” as new figures show patients across the country waiting longer for cancer treatment.  

Public Health Scotland figures reveal that in the quarter ending 30th September, only 72% of patients were treated within the target of 62 days from referral – a drop of 1.7%. No NHS Health Board achieved the standard.  

These are the first statistics on cancer waiting times to be published since the Scottish Government launched its Cancer Strategy 2023-2033 in June.

Mr Cole-Hamilton said:

"Waiting times are nowhere near good enough for Scots diagnosed with cancer. It is worrying that this first test of the government’s new strategy actually shows performance getting worse. If things don’t improve fast, the strategy risks ringing hollow for everyone suffering these long waits.

“Early intervention in cancer cases is crucial to chances of survival. Patients need to be treated quickly and effectively, but instead they are being forced to wait.  

“I want to see the Health Secretary pulling out all the stops to cut waiting times. Staff and patients are tired of being continually failed by a government that can’t match its words with action."