RECORD CANCER TARGET ACHIEVED

RECORD CANCER TARGET ACHIEVED

WORKING TOGETHER FOR A HEALTHIER SCOTLAND

The hard work of NHS staff has seen the national waiting time target for cancer treatment hit 96% - an all time high beyond expected targets.

The figures released this morning show that 96% of patients referred for urgent cancer treatment have received treatment within two months for the first time.

When the SNP entered Government in 2007 only 84.5% of patients received treatment in that time.

Commenting on the results SNP MSP and Health Committee member Dr Ian McKee said;

“Everyone deserves the best possible care in our NHS and these figures show that through hard work and by working together we are delivering the best treatment in the time needed across the country.

“There is always more that can be done to keep Scotland healthy. Meeting this target is a major step toward tackling one of the big three killers in Scotland, and I congratulate all those in the NHS who have helped to meet this target.

“The SNP is committed to seeing a healthier Scotland and to ensuring people have the best possible care.

“This target should have been met 4 years ago, and it is a great shame that under previous administrations it was not achieved. Now that it has been achieved under an SNP administration, we must continue to work hard to ensure that it is maintained.