Fears that shortages are causing test delays

Campaigners have hit out over the excessive number of patients facing lengthy delays for important health tests across Lanarkshire.

Worrying new figures show that, in March this year, 120 patients waited more than the target six weeks for health screenings, several of which are used to detect cancer.

This is double the number of patients who were hit with delays the previous month, although it was a reduction of 28 on the same period the previous year.

Cancer Research has called for serious action to address NHS staff shortages, which they claim is at the root of diagnostic delays for patients.

Gordon Matheson, Cancer Research UK’s public affairs manager in Scotland, said:“Waiting to find out if you have cancer can be a worrying time and these stats show that too many people are still waiting too long for tests.

“Part of the problem is staff shortages in the NHS, which is an on-going and deeply concerning problem.

“For example, radiologists are one of many essential health professionals we need in the NHS to diagnose cancers earlier, and without enough of them, people may miss out on timely scan results to tell them if they have cancer or not.

“It’s clear that action is needed to tackle all shortages both in the near future and the long-term so that the NHS can cope with increasing patient need.”

The total number of patients waiting on diagnostic tests with NHS Lanarkshire in March this year was 10,476.

The figures for people waiting more than four weeks for their test in March 2019 was 1,693.

Across Scotland, as at March 31, only 84 per cent of patients received the tests they needed within six weeks.

The statistics reflect the waiting times for all diagnostic services in Scotland, including some of those that affect cancer patients.

NHS Lanarkshire director of access services, Judith Park, said:“NHS Lanarkshire aims to consistently deliver the six week standard for the eight key diagnostic tests.

“The percentage of patients who were seen within six weeks for March 2019 – the most recent reporting period – was 98.9 per cent.

“We do not wish to be complacent and continue to take steps to improve this further.

“This includes improving booking processes, increasing diagnostic sessions and sourcing additional CT scan capacity.

“Like all Scottish health boards, NHS Lanarkshire also faces challenges in recruiting consultant radiologists and continues to take steps to address this.”

Action is needed to tackle all shortages both in the near future and long term