Cancer target success

NHS staff praised

NHS Lanarkshire, which covers Rutherglen and Cambuslang, achieved a key national target on cancer treatment waiting times in 2015, according to new statistics.

Scottish standards require 95 per cent of patients to receive treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral with suspected cancer or a positive screening.

Figures from the health ser vice’s information division reveal that the Lanarkshire board met the target in each quarter of last year.

The most recent statistics, for October to December, show that NHS Lanarkshire was one of three areas to meet the standard, with 95.3 per cent of patients starting treatment within that time – above the national average of 90.8 per cent. Director of acute services Heather Knox said: “Our performance is down to the dedication and hard work of our staff.

“We’re working hard to maintain and improve our performance to ensure patients continue to receive the highest standards of care while avoiding delays for patients where possible.

“The wait after a suspicion of cancer is raised is particularly distressing and anxious for patients and their families. The standard intends that they receive tests as quickly as possible, and, if diagnosed, begin treatment as soon as possible.”

NHS Lanarkshire also achieved the standard that 95 per cent of cancer patients should begin receiving treatment within 31 days of such a decision being made. A total of 95.5 per cent of patients were treated within that time, compared to the average of 96.4 per cent.