NHS Lanarkshire only health board in Scotland to hit its cancer target times
A total of 95.8 per cent of patients being seen within 62 days in Lanarkshire from January to March this year.
NHS Lanarkshire was the only health board in Scotland to hit its cancer target time, new figures have shown.
The Scottish Government target is for 95 per cent of patients to begin treatment in 62 days.
It has not been met since the last quarter of 2012.
Just one health board across Scotland hit the target - NHS Lanarkshire - while 13 others missed it.
A total of 95.8 per cent of patients being seen within 62 days in Lanarkshire from January to March this year.
Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie added: “Cancer is Scotland’s biggest killer and swift treatment can be the difference between life and death - but under the SNP, patients are being abandoned and the founding principles of our NHS are under threat.
“A cancer time-bomb is looming - the SNP must act now to cut these dangerously long waits and deliver the urgent, life-saving care Scottish cancer patients need.
“The truth is our NHS cannot afford a third decade of SNP government - we need a new direction.”
However, Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “The median wait for treatment is three days, and the median wait from urgent suspicion of cancer referral to treatment is 52 days, demonstrating the extensive work by staff across Scotland to treat people as quickly and effectively as possible.
READ MORE: Council in secret pothole repair company payout over £31m court challenge“We are treating more patients with cancer on time, within both standards, compared to the same quarter six years ago - 7.7 per cent more within the 31-day standard and 0.1% more within the 62-day standard.
“Cancer remains a national priority for the Scottish Government. We have directed £14.23 million of the £106 million in additional planned care funding for 2025/26 to cancer waiting times, with a focus on colorectal, urological and breast as our most challenged pathways.”
In the quarter ending December 31, 2024, NHS Lanarkshire also achieved its target with 96.2 per cent of patients starting treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral.
This was compared to a national average of 73.5 per cent for that period. The 31-day target was also met by NHS Lanarkshire.
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