Scottish Government Failing NHS in the Highlands and Islands

25th June 2013

A key target for the treatment of cancer patients was not met in the last quarter, figures have revealed.

The latest statistics showed 94.4% of people started cancer treatment within 62 days of being urgently referred because it was suspected they had the disease - just below the target of 95% and down from 95.8% in the previous quarter.

Of all the mainland health boards, NHS Highland performed the worst, with 90.2% of cancer patients starting treatment within the 62-day target time, compared to 98.6% in the Borders health board area.

Rhoda Grant MSP said:�These figures have once again highlighted the Scottish Government is not only failing to support the NHS in the Highlands, but crucially, and most disappointingly, failing patients.�

�Care on the NHS should not be subject to a postcode lottery yet there is an 8.4% less people in Highland starting cancer treatment on time compared to other parts of Scotland�

�I have been calling on the Scottish Government for some time now to ensure there are enough Radiographers and staff across the Highlands to deal with diagnoses and treatment quickly and reduce waiting times.�

�The Scottish Government need to get their priority�s right. I want to see waiting times lowered to two weeks from initial test to diagnosis, acting early is essential to patients and family�s health and wellbeing.�