Lib Dems call for action over cancer treatment targets
Only three of Scotland's health boards met the Scottish Government's waiting time target in the second quarter of the year
Health boards should produce new plans detailing how and when they will meet a key cancer treatment target, the Scottish Liberal Democrats have said.
The party's health spokesman, Alex Cole-Hamilton, has written to Health Secretary Shona Robison urging her to ensure boards take action after recent figures showed the target was missed again between April and June.
The Scottish Government's ambition is for 95% of those who are referred because cancer is suspected to be treated within two months.
But official figures showed that in the second quarter of this year only 86.9% of patients began receiving help within 62 days - down from 88.1% in the previous quarter.
Only three health boards in Scotland - NHS Dumfries and Galloway, NHS Lanarkshire and NHS Orkney - met the target.
Mr Cole-Hamilton said: “NHS Lanarkshire have already taken a lead in tackling this, reporting when a target is missed and explaining how they will get on top of these targets and ensure that everyone gets the great care they need.
“Cancer charities have praised this approach and said that it offers much-needed peace of mind to know that clear actions are being taken to tackle cancer waiting times in each health board area.
“I'm calling today on the Health Secretary to ensure all health boards are fully transparent in publishing their waiting times data and communicate regularly with each other to share best practice.
“Action plans should be put in place to make it clearer to patients how and when cancer targets will finally be met.
“Of course, the SNP Government must also ensure NHS boards are provided with the resources they need to be able to turn this around.
“This would signal to patients that their concerns are being taken seriously and give reassurance that these unconscionable delays are being addressed.”
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “Patients in Scotland wait on average six days for treatment, once a decision to treat has been reached.
“However, we know further work is needed to shorten waits for diagnostics and have formed a Ministerial Cancer Performance Delivery Group to drive forward service redesign and improvement, backed by £1 million investment on top of £4.85 million already allocated to boards.
“Among a series of actions, the group will audit processes for managing patients with a suspected cancer, implement new scrutiny and monitoring processes for health boards struggling to meet the 62-day standard, and invest in the roll-out of new technology to assist with pressures on diagnostic services."