It’s absolutely staggering that women have to resort to paying for life-saving surgery because they are waiting too long for NHS treatment.
One charity, Target Ovarian Cancer, has revealed how systemic failures are resulting in women being unable to access lifesaving treatment, particularly those living in the west of Scotland.
About 600 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year in Scotland, with survival rates among the worst in Europe. Margaret McCaul, 52, and Irene Hartshorn, 70, both felt they had no option but to spend tens of thousands of pounds for treatment – in England.
The alternative was enduring more rounds of chemotherapy while risking the cancer progressing as they sat on 12-week waiting lists. But Margaret and Irene are far from being isolated examples.
Data released by the charity found 44 per cent of respondents had experienced a delay in receiving surgery, with 22 per cent waiting eight weeks or more.
Almost one in five reported paying privately for some part of their diagnosis or treatment to save their lives. Margaret and Irene have now signed an open letter to John Swinney calling for an end to the postcode lottery when it comes to cancer treatment.
It goes without saying that some people could see their lives shortened because they can’t afford to go private. The charity is right to call for an urgent review. This unacceptable situation cannot be allowed to continue.
Put brakes on deadly drivers
One in five deaths on Scotland’s roads are caused by speeding. On rural roads, three quarters of all road deaths come from the same scourge – excess speed.
The picture is grim and figures show a 26 per cent rise in fatal road smashes compared with the same period last year. It beggars belief to learn today that police forces – including Police Scotland – continue to catch drivers treating dangerously high speeds as socially acceptable.
We hear today of Scottish drivers doing over 90mph in 30mph zones. And we read every week of a serious smash that involves reckless or careless driving while over the speed limit.
That’s why we need to get tougher. When limits are repeatedly broken by large margins, cars should be impounded. Longer bans should be slapped on offenders. That would put the brakes on the speedsters that put all road users’ lives at risk.