SCOTS FACE COVID CANCER ‘TSUNAMI’

Every health board in country missing treatment targets

SCOTLAND is facing a “tsunami of cancer deaths” with the NHS failing to get to grips with treating patients in time during the pandemic.

Targets for cancer treatment are being breached despite a massive reduction in those even being referred because of Covid.

In the three months to June, referrals fell by almost a quarter – but there was a worsening record of patients being seen and treated in time.

Last night, charities and opposition politicians called for action as “a matter of urgency” to tackle the growing cancer crisis.

The Government’s target is that 95 per cent of all patients referred with a suspicion of cancer should be seen and treatment begun within 62 days.

But even with a 22 per cent decrease in referrals because of the coronavirus outbreak, just 84.1 per cent began their treatment in time – down from an already poor 84.7 per cent in the previous quarter.

None of the country’s 14 health boards met the target.

Marion O’Nei l l, Cancer Research UK’s head of external affairs in Scotland, said: “This report, which covers the period when the UK first went into lockdown, shows there was a sharp fall in the number of patients who started cancer treatment. This was when many cancer services were paused.

“These figures also show us that, even with fewer people being referred, the target was still missed and too many people were waiting too long for treatment to start.

“The growing backlog of people waiting is very worrying and must be tackled as a matter of urgency. The early diagnosis of cancer can significantly improve someone’s chances of survival.

“With a second wave of Covid- 19 likely, everything possible must be done so patient care doesn’t suffer and waiting lists don’t get longer. This will require innovation as well as further investment in staff and equipment.

“Patients also need to feel confident of their safety, so routine Covid-19 testing for all

NHS staff working in cancer diagnosis and treatment areas is essential.”

Labour’s health spokeswoman Monica Lennon said the collapse in the number of cancer referrals and the failure of every health board to meet the 62- day treatment standard showed “Scotland’s cancer services are in deep crisis”.

With NHS services still only partially remobilised, Scottish Labour has warned that cancer services are in crisis and predicts a “tsunami of cancer deaths may be on the horizon”.

Lennon said: “These stark statistics have lifted the lid on Scotland’s crisis- hit cancer services.

“With the number of referrals plummeting and health boards failing to meet targets, we are running the risk of thousands of Scots receiving treatment too late and even more missing treatment all together.

“The emotional toll that long waits for treatment put on patients must be alleviated.

“The time has come for the

Scottish Government to prioritise cancer services and support our amazing NHS staff to do their jobs.

“We cannot allow thousands of Scots to miss out on treatment or to receive treatment too late. The time has come for action.”

Lib-Dem health spokesman Alex Cole-Hamilton said the statistics reveal “the horrifying scale of the delays to cancer diagnosis and treatment throughout the pandemic”.

He added: “Families across the country will have been trapped in a state of prolonged anxiety because of the disruption to these life-saving services.

“It is incredibly important that treatment and screening now gets back on track as swiftly and safely as possible.

“Those who receive a cancer diagnosis need to get treated quickly and receive the full package of support.

“The legacy of this pandemic means the NHS is going to be playing catch up on screenings and important appointments for a long time. The Scottish Government must ensure the resources necessary to clear the backlog and treat people quickly are available.”

We cannot allow thousands of Scots to miss out on treatment LABOUR’S MONICA LENNON ON CANCER BACKLOG