McMillan Welcomes Cancer Waiting Times Statistics

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP) has today welcomed new figures from ISD Scotland showing cancer waiting times targets for October - December 2009 that showed targets for cancer waiting times were being met 96.5% of the time, a record high.

Stuart commented:

"These new figures are testament to the hard of work of those in front line cancer services.

"When the SNP Government came to office in 2007 it promised to meet tough waiting time targets for cancer patients and it is delivering. The NHS in Scotland has now exceeded its 95% target for 5 consecutive quarters and has shown an increase of 12% since the first quarter of 2007."

Commenting on the publication by ISD Scotland of cancer waiting times for October - December 2009, Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said:

"Today's figures show Scotland's NHS has achieved its best-ever urgent cancer referral waiting times. Staff up and down the country are providing these important services within record times, and I thank every single one of them.

"We are now aiming even higher, with tougher new targets being introduced. From now on, we will measure the NHS's performance against the ambitious new target of having 95 per cent of patients treated within 31 days of decision to treat. I know how hard staff have worked to achieve the current 62-day target and I am confident that they will maintain this progress in future."