Wait is too long

Treatment times

Ten per cent of cancer patients in Ayrshire are waiting too long for treatment.

And South Scotland MSP Colin said the waiting times in Ayrshire and Arran are “deeply concerning”. A new report from the Scottish Government’s Information Ser vices Directorate ( ISD Scotland) showed 89.9 per cent of patients in Ayrshire and Arran suspected of having cancer were seen within the legal 62- day waiting time guarantee from referral to treatment at the end of 2017. In total 298 referrals were made during the last quarter of 2017, with 30 patients waiting longer than the target. The longest wait was 250 days from first being referred– nearly eight months Ayrshire and Arran fared better in relation to the 31day Standard which states 95 per cent of all patients will wait no more than 31 days from decision to treat to first cancer treatment. Ninety- nine per cent of patients in Ayrshire and Arran started treatment within 31 days. Mr Smyth said: “Patients who have been referred due to the suspicion of cancer have enough to worry about without having to deal with such lengthy waits. “The emotional and physical pressure cancer causes on patients and families is huge but for them to sit in limbo for up to eight months in some cases is deeply concerning. “This all boils down to the SNP Government failing to properly staff and fund our NHS in Ayrshire and Arran. “The people of Ayrshire and Arran deserve better.” Liz Moore, director for Acute Services, said: “NHS Ayrshire & Arran is committed to providing safe and effective care and treatment for our patients with a cancer diagnosis, in as timely a way as possible. “We sincerely apologise to any patient who has had to wait longer than we would wish for treatment, and can confirm we are doing all we can to improve on our current performance.”