Scotland’s cancer wait times have hit the worst levels on record, as shown by a Public Health Scotland report that was released today. Under 72 per cent of eligible patients received their first cancer treatment within 62 days of being urgently referred in the quarter ending 31 December 2022, while the target is 95 per cent. This revelation comes less than a week after new health secretary Michael Matheson was appointed to Humza Yousaf’s cabinet, and will make for uncomfortable viewing.
Of 4,262 eligible patients who were referred urgently for cancer treatment, over 1,200 were left waiting for more than 62 days after they had been referred before they received their first dose. Eligible patients are those referred urgently by their GP, a national cancer screening programme or direct hospital referral with a suspicion of cancer.
The new figures show a decrease from 75 per cent of patients who met the 62-day standard in the previous quarter. Further still, there has been a decrease of 12 per cent compared with the quarter ending 31 December 2022.
No health boards in Scotland met the target – that 95 per cent of eligible patients should be seen within the 62-day standard – and the discrepancies seen between affluent and deprived areas were striking. While just over 10 per cent of eligible patients in NHS Borders did not receive treatment within the standard time, over a third of patients were left waiting more than 62 days for their first cancer treatment in NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde. In fact, from October to December 2022, it took double the time (134 days) for 95 per cent of patients to receive their first cancer treatment. The 95 per cent target was last met in 2012.
One cancer specialist from Scotland commented: 'It is clear that early diagnosis and early treatment is, in most cases, associated with better outcomes and even with a greater chance of cure. When faced with a new diagnosis of a life-limiting cancer most patients will look back and worry that if only things had happened sooner, outcomes might have been better. The added concern that health services didn’t move quickly enough is also a cause of regret and sometimes complaint.
'These latest figures illustrate that the NHS in Scotland needs to focus on reprioritising and increasing the scarce resources required to optimise treatment pathways for patients with a diagnosis or suspicion of cancer.'
‘It’s a nightmare,’ one Scottish GP commented, adding: ‘Waiting times are tragic.’ Dr Sorcha Hume of Cancer Research UK said on today’s figures: ‘Urgent action is needed. The top priority for the First Minister has to be publishing the new cancer strategy and ensuring that it is implemented quickly.’
Many have been quick to point the finger at former health secretary – and now first minister – Humza Yousaf. ‘These horrendous figures lay bare the terrifying legacy of Humza Yousaf’s stewardship of our NHS,’ said Scottish Conservative health spokesperson Dr Sandesh Gulhane. ‘In every quarter during his time as health secretary, cancer waiting times continue to worsen.’
Scottish Labour’s Jackie Baillie said that the fact that not a single health board is meeting the government’s 62-day target is ‘shameful’, while the Liberal Democrat’s Christine Jardine added that ‘Humza Yousaf owes us all an apology.’
Health secretary Michael Matheson found a silver lining to today’s data: ‘Today’s figures show that our NHS, despite the impact of the pandemic, is treating more cancer patients on 31 and 62-day pathways than ever before. Cancer remains a national priority for the NHS and Scottish government which is why we will publish a new 10-year strategy in spring 2023.’
The report also found that less than two-thirds of patients presenting to emergency departments in the week of 26 March were seen within four hours, while delayed discharges have increased, meaning that in February, 1,871 people were waiting to be discharged. Scotland’s new health secretary, it appears, has his work cut out.
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