by Lucy Ashton
Scottish Labour has branded the SNP’s record “shameful” as new analysis shows more than 35,000 cancer patients were treated late since the SNP last met their treatment target.
The 62-day standard states that 95 per cent of eligible patients should wait no longer than 62 days from urgent suspicion of cancer referral to first cancer treatment – but the SNP has not met this key target since 2012.
New analysis by Scottish Labour has revealed that in total, a staggering 35,048 patients waited more than 62 days in this time – nearly a fifth of those referred.
Scottish Labour said these long waits “put lives at risk” and pledged to improve cancer care.
Scottish Labour has pledged to speed up diagnosis and treatment by expanding Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services and improving screening on a range of types of cancers, including through faster roll-out of cervical cancer self-screening, a pilot prostate cancer screening programme and targeted lung cancer screening.
The party will also invest in cutting-edge technology to ease pressure on the system and deliver greater support for patients and families.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, right, said: “These numbers should shame John Swinney and the SNP, who have put thousands of lives at risk with their incompetence.
“Quick treatment saves lives, but under the SNP, more than 35,000 cancer patients were let down by long waits in the SNP’s 13 years of failure.
“The truth is, John Swinney and the SNP have no idea how to fix the mess they have made of our NHS.
“After nearly two decades of SNP government, our NHS has gone backwards rather than forwards, despite the tireless work of fantastic NHS staff.
“On May 7, we have a chance to vote for change and give Scotland the NHS it deserves.
“A Scottish Labour government led by me will confront Scotland’s cancer time bomb and make sure Scots can get the timely, quality care they deserve in their hour of need.
“We will speed up diagnostics and improve screenings so people can get treated right away to ease the pressure on services, and make sure patients and families are properly supported during these difficult times.
“Our NHS needs change, and only Scottish Labour can deliver it.”
Missed 62-day cancer waiting time standard and total waits over 62 days, Q1 2013-Q4 2025:
|
Eligible referrals |
Started treatment within 62 days |
Additional patients starting treatment if 62-day standard had been met* |
Total patients waiting more than 62 days |
|
192,352 |
157,304 |
25,430 |
35,048 |
*The 62-day standard states that 95% of eligible patients should wait no longer than 62 days from urgent suspicion of cancer referral to first cancer treatment.
Scottish Labour will:
- Catch cancer earlier, deliver faster treatment and save more lives.
- Guarantee that every cancer patient has the support they need during their treatment.
- Develop a new modern screening strategy, including actions to increase uptake in existing screening programmes.
- Introduce national, targeted lung cancer screening, speed up the rollout of cervical self-sampling and launch a prostate cancer screening pilot.
- Introduce an enhanced role for GPs in identifying cancer and improving outcomes for patients.
- Expand coverage of Rapid Diagnostic Services, allowing patients in every health board to be referred onto a rapid diagnostic pathway to reduce unnecessary appointments and delays.
- Invest in new AI-enabled scanners to catch cancer faster and expand the diagnostic workforce.
- Commit to ensuring that every cancer patient will receive a tailored, personalised care plan covering treatment, mental health, and employment support.
- Ensure every cancer patient is assigned a Care Navigator who will provide support, advocacy and help to reduce delays to care.