Staff shortages, broken equipment and soaring demand are leading to "devastating delays" for cancer patients, with one in five people waiting more than 84 days to start treatment. The latest report on cancer waiting times in Scotland shows that just 70.4% of cancer patients started treatment within the target time of 62 days of an urgent referral for tests between January and March this year.
This is down from 83.7% at the end of 2019, and remains far from the 95% target last achieved in 2012. Both the 62-day and 31-day standards are being missed (Image: PHS) Nearly one in five (17.
9%) people waited more than 84 days to start treatment, although in the Grampian region this stood at 33% as the health board admitted that demand for diagnostic tests in its radiology, endoscopy and urology services in particular "outweighs available capacity". It also blamed annual leave around the festive season, school holidays, and staff using up their holiday allowances before the end of the financial year, plus "much higher" referrals to its colorectal cancer pathway compared to pre-pandemic levels. READ MORE: Growth of two-tier healthcare 'beyond question', warns BMA leader How do Scotland's cancer services compare to the rest of the UK? Warning Scotland has 'dire' shortage of cancer doctors Hundreds of Grampian breast cancer patients have also had to travel to Forth Valley since October last year for diagnosis, assessment and, in some cases, surgery pending the appointment of a new special.