Action call on city cancer treatment waiting times
LATEST figures showing Glasgow lagging behind the rest of Scotland on cancer waiting time targets must improve according to cancer charities.
Greater Glasgow and Clyde missed the 95 per cent target for starting treatment for patients within 62 days of an urgent referral.
The target was also missed by the NHS across Scotland
It managed 87 per cent between April and June this year meaning more than 100 patients had to wait longer – lower than the national average of 89.9 per cent. The maximum wait was 223 days, the highest in Scotland.
Macmillan Cancer Support said that late diagnosis and late treatment means the chances of survival are greatly diminished.
The target of starting treatment within 31 days after a decision to treat was also missed in Greater Glasgow.
Trisha Hatt, Macmillan Cancer Support’s strategic partnership manager, said: “Macmillan are deeply disappointed that Greater Glasgow & Clyde has again missed both cancer waiting times targets.
“We know that 75 per cent of Scots are diagnosed late.
“Being treated late as well all adds up to cause real problems getting appropriate care for cancer patients, particularly for those with immediate palliative care needs in Glasgow.”
The Scottish Government and the health board both said efforts were being made to make improvements.
A spokesman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “We treat a significant number of cancer patients every year and see a range of complex cases from across the West of Scotland.
“We are working hard to improve performance for our patients by increasing diagnostic and treatment capacity in a number of key specialties including Urology and Head and Neck Cancers.”
Shona Robison, Health Secretary, said nine out of 10 patients were starting treatment within the 62-day period.
She said: “However, I want health boards to work even harder to improve early access to diagnostics so that patients can get a decision on whether they need treatment or not as quickly as possible.”
However charities said the performance was not good enough.
Gregor McNie, Cancer Research UK senior public affairs manager in Scotland, said: “At a time when cancer is Scotland’s most common cause of death, it’s unacceptable that this target hasn’t been met.
“Patients must be diagnosed and treated swiftly if they are to have the best chance of survival.
“Early diagnosis of patients is a priority in Scotland’s new cancer strategy, but we want to see fast progress to ensure patients are not left waiting too long.”
Labour said the targets have not been met nationally for three years.
Anas Sarwar, health spokesman said: “These numbers should act as a wake-up call to an SNP government that has become complacent on cancer. The 62-day standard for urgent referrals to treatment has gone backwards.”