Cancer type could mean longer waits
SOME cancer patients face longer waits for treatment under changes being considered by beleaguered Health Secretary Shona Robison, it has emerged.
A report to her proposes changing what types of cancer should be included in waiting time guarantees.
Labour insisted the Clinical Review of Cancer Waiting Times Standards in Scotland means the SNP are planning to scrap the 31 and 62-day standards with different targets for different types of cancer.
One of the paper’s recommendations reads: “Re–evaluate inclusion/ exclusion criteria of cancer types subject to CWT (cancer waiting times ) standards while taking into account the level of resource available for any additional data collection requests.”
Labour’s Anas Sarwar said: “In the last year, more than 1700 people suspected of having cancer had to wait longer than the expected treatment standard.
“Even after being referred for treatment by doctors, more than 1200 people with cancer had to wait longer than the expected treatment standard. These are shocking figures that expose the failure of this Health Secretary.
“Today, unbelievably, the Health Secretary sneaks out this report which shows that, rather than improve their performance, the Government’s plan is to scrap the standard waiting time for cancer. This is shameful behaviour from a shameless Health Secretary.”
But a Government spokesman insisted it was wrong to claim targets are to be removed entirely.
He added: “As the report makes clear, we will not abolish cancer targets and will consider the recommendations with advice and evidence from existing clinical and expert groups.
“All cancer patients should receive timely diagnostics and treatment and this remains a priority for the Scottish Government.”
Meanwhile, Robison yesterday agreed to publish the finances of NHS boards every month after Tory pressure at Holyrood.
The SNP minister said the move would provide “greater transparency and accountability” following a financial crisis at NHS Tayside.