Statistics published today have revealed that NHS Lanarkshire is one of only two NHS boards that have met government targets to ensure that 95 percent of all cancer patients wait no more than 62 days for treatment. 96.2 percent of cancer patients at NHS Lanarkshire are being treated within 62 days of being eligibly referred.
“NHS Lanarkshire staff deserve credit where credit is due,” said Graham Simpson MSP. “The staff at NHS Lanarkshire are hitting the mark when it comes to cancer treatment wait times. It is through staff’s coordinated efforts and hard work that have resulted in NHS Lanarkshire reaching their cancer treatment wait times targets.”
Nationwide however, 654 cancer patients are still waiting longer than the 62-day standard for their first cancer treatment. The figures demonstrate a small decrease from the previous quarter but this still means that 16 percent of cancer patients are waiting far longer than they should for treatment. According to ISD Scotland, the SNP government is failing their own target by over 10 percent, as they should ensure that 95 percent of all patients wait no more than 62 days.
“NHS Lanarkshire’s success is in stark contrast to the abysmal cancer treatment-time figures that we’ve seen across Scotland as a whole,” said Mr. Simpson. “It is critical that cancer sufferers receive timely treatment as delays can reduce the chances of a good outcome. It is evident that SNP Ministers continue to fail to improve cancer services nationwide and evident that NHS Lanarkshire is an outlier amongst a failing Scottish NHS. The SNP need to take note of NHS Lanarkshire, learn from their steadied cancer treatment-time improvement, and ensure enough capacity for doctors and nurses in our health system.”
