Labour demands cancer target vow

CANCER treatment waiting time targets should be excluded from a new review of the target culture in the NHS, Scottish Labour has demanded.

A review of NHS Scotland’s current target system was launched last week and critics fear many targets relating to cancer diagnosis and treatment which are currently being missed could either be axed or watered down.

The Sunday Post has long campaigned on improving cancer treatment and achieving parity of service across Scotland.

Labour health spokesman Anas Sarwar has written to Health Secretary Shona Robison seeking clarity on the government’s review of waiting time targets.

He said: “The Scottish Cancer Patient Experience Survey showed that one in five patients thought they should have got an appointment sooner when they first suspected they had cancer.

“The anxiety caused by waiting for an appointment can have an impact on the individual, their family and also their work.

“Labour will engage constructively with the SNP’s target review but what we won’t accept is the goalposts being shifted or standards watered down.”

At First Minister’s Questions last week, Mr Sarwar asked Nicola Sturgeon if current expectations on cancer treatment will not be included in the review of NHS targets.