Dropin cancer diagnosis
Cancer diagnosis in Ayrshire and Arran has dropped, new figures show.
It is down 14 per cent (2641) in the 11 months to November 29 last year, compared to the same period in 2019 which recorded a figure of 3085.
Public Health Scotland statistics, part of its Covid ‘wider impact’ series, show a drop in cancer diagnosis across the region.
South Scotland MSP, Colin Smyth, previously warned of a cancer care ‘crisis’ and demanded urgent action to tackle the backlog.
The warning came on the back of statistics which showed cancer incidence was on the rise – even before the pandemic began.
Mr Smyth said: “We know that all the projections show that there will be an increase in the number of people who have cancer, so that should mean a rise in the number of diagnoses. We need action.
“The next parliament must be fully focused on a national recovery plan.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The health secretary has committed to produce a detailed NHS Recovery Plan within the first 100 days of the new administration.
“The Recovery Plan will set out in detail how we intend to meet our ambition =of increasing inpatient, day case, and outpatient activity by 10 per cent above preCOVID levels.
“We are establishing Early Cancer Diagnostic Centres in every health board area, with one of the first three clinics opening in Ayrshire and Arran.
“And we are taking forward our £320 million National Treatment Centre programme to support recovery across 14 different specialties.”
Joanne Edwards, Director of Acute Services at NHS Ayrshire and Arran, said the new early diagnostic cancer centre service was now up and running.
She said: “Patients will be able to access appropriate diagnostic testing and consultation with a specialist ANP (Advanced Nurse Practitioner) within a twoweek timeframe with the aim of then referring on to the most appropriate specialist pathway or discharging back to their GP once diagnosis is confirmed.
“The pilot will run for a 12-month period from the end of May 2021, with ongoing evaluation throughout to ensure best practice and long-term feasibility.”