AN MSP has described NHS Ayrshire and Arran waiting times for prostate cancer treatment as a "timebomb".
The 62-day standard states that 95 per cent of eligible patients should wait no longer than 62 days from urgent suspicion of cancer referral to first cancer treatment.
Figures for urology prostate waiting times show that 75.4 per cent of patients were treated within 62 days from October-December 2023, compared to 37.9 per cent in the same time period in 2024.
Across all cancer types, 70.2 per cent of patients were treated within 62 days in the 2024 time period, compared to 78.9 per cent in 2023.
“In Ayrshire and Arran, the urology prostrate figures are a big concern as we know this type of cancer affects a lot of men and can be very serious.
“The impact of staffing issues highlighted by health boards is a reminder that the Scottish Government’s failure to recruit and retain NHS staff not only affects the taxpayer, but the patients who are at the heart of our health service.
“Far too many people are waiting far too long to get the cancer care that they desperately need while Scottish Government targets are broken across the area.
“Cancer is Scotland’s biggest killer, and we know that early detection and treatment leads to better outcomes – but the fact is that the government’s failure to support NHS staff is creating a cancer care timebomb.”
Speaking about the figures, health secretary Neil Gray said: "We are treating more patients with cancer on time, within both standards, compared to the same quarter five years ago – 4.5 per cent more within the 31-day standard and 1.6 per cent more within the 62-day standard.
“The 31-day standard was narrowly missed this quarter, with 94.7 per cent of patients treated within 31 days of a decision to treat, with the median wait for treatment of just four days.
“The 62-day standard remains challenged, however the median wait is 49 days from urgent suspicion of cancer referral to first treatment.
“We have invested over £40 million over the past five years to support cancer services and improve waiting times, with a focus on urology, colorectal and breast, with £11.3 million provided to boards in 2024-25.
“A further £1.7 million has been directed towards diagnostics and treatment for patients referred with an urgent suspicion of cancer to reduce waiting lists.”
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