By Democrat reporter
A collapse in the number of cancer referrals and the failure of every health board in Scotland to meet the 62-day treatment standard has revealed that Scotland’s cancer services are in deep crisis, according to Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie.
Statistics published this week have revealed that the number of referrals for the 31 and 62-day cancer treatment targets between April and June 2020 have both fallen by over a fifth and that not a single health board in Scotland met the 62-day treatment target.
With a collapse in the number of referrals and NHS services still only partially re-mobilised.
Jackie Baillie warned: “Cancer services are in crisis and that we may see more cancer deaths on the horizon.”
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde only treated 80.7% and NHS Highlands only treated 73.4% of those within the 62 day target between April and June 2020.
Jackie Baillie, who represents Dumbarton, Vale of Leven, Helensburgh & Lomond said: “These stark statistics have lifted the lid on Scotland’s crisis-hit cancer services.
“NHS staff work incredibly hard but Covid has disrupted key services and we need to get them back on track.
“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 altogether. The emotional toll that long waits for treatment puts on patients must be addressed.
“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 people in West Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute to miss out on treatment or to receive treatment too late. The time has come for action.”
Cancer Waiting Times
The 62-day standard states that 95% of eligible patients will wait a maximum of 62 days from referral to first cancer treatment.
- There were 3,056 eligible referrals for the 62-day standard in the period April to June 2020, a decrease of 22% on the same period in 2019.
- 84.1% of patients started treatment within the 62-day standard, compared to 84.7% in the previous quarter, and 82.4% for quarter ending June 2019.
- The 62-day standard was not met by any NHS Boards. NHS Boards’ performance ranged from 71.4% (NHS Orkney) to 94.9% (NHS Ayrshire & Arran).
The 31-day standard states that 95% of all patients will wait no more than 31 days from decision to treat to first cancer treatment.
- There were 5,056 eligible referrals within the 31-day standard in the period April to June 2020, a decrease of 23% on the same period in 2019.
- 97.1% of patients started treatment within the 31-day standard, compared with 96.1% in the previous quarter and 94.7% for quarter ending June 2019.
- The 31-day standard was met by 14 NHS Boards. The Board that did not meet the standard was NHS Grampian (94.5%).