NHS Lanarkshire was the only health board in Scotland hitting its cancer targets according to official stats.
Cancer treatment waiting times are judged against two standards; that 95 per cent of patients should begin treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral, and the same proportion wait no longer than 31 days from the decision to treat.
Public Health Scotland (PHS) figures show only one out of 14 health boards in Scotland met the target of 62 days – NHS Lanarkshire, which achieved 95.4 per cent.
The 31-day standard was met by 11 health boards including NHS Lanarkshire.
Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “Our NHS remains under pressure, and this is reflected in the fact that we’re treating more patients with cancer on time compared to the same quarter 10 years ago.
“I recognise that we must do more to ensure cancer patients are treated faster. To help tackle waiting times, we have allocated £11.3 million in 2024/25 with a focus on the three most challenging tumour types – urology, colorectal and breast.
“In addition to this, an initial investment of £30 million has been provided to target reductions to the national backlogs that built up throughout the pandemic.
“If approved by Parliament, the 2025/26 Budget will also deliver record health and social care funding of £21 billion to ensure faster, more accessible care by improving capacity and tackling systemic challenges like delayed discharge.”
Across Scotland, the figures show that during the last quarter from July to September 2024, around 1,200 (27.9 per cent) patients waited longer than 62 days to start treatment following an urgent suspected cancer referral.
Meanwhile, 72.1 per cent of patients on an urgent referral started treatment within 62 days over the quarter – below the 95 per cent target.
Some 94.3 per cent of patients started treatment within 31 days, compared with 95.5 per cent in the previous quarter and 96.5 per cent in the quarter ending December 31, 2019.
Cancer Research UK’s Dr Sorcha Hume said: “Prolonged waits for cancer treatment are completely unacceptable but time and time again these targets are missed.
“NHS staff are doing their best but they’re battling against under-investment alongside rising cancer cases.
“If we’re to turn the tide on the anxiety faced by so many, we need to see adequate funding for staff and equipment. Innovative reform and rapid progress against Scotland’s cancer strategy is also essential.”
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