Indefinite waiting times for cancer patients in Scotland, is turning out to be patients’ worst nightmare. Though ministers have incessantly confirmed their commitment to improving the waiting times, yet tangible improvements still eludes the sufferers. Latest figures have shown that only 79.2% of cancer patients have received the treatment within the promised time.
However, recent figures show that there is a marked improvement in the inpatient day cases, but there has been an increase in the number of outpatients who are awaiting their turn, for more than 18 weeks.SNP health spokesman Shona Robison turned accusatory when she said, “Mr. McConnell’s government has a moral obligation to meet their two-month waiting target to ensure cancer patients are diagnosed and treated as quickly as possible. Patients must be given the best chance to survive a potentially life-threatening disease and early diagnosis is vital. Labour is failing on this fundamental responsibility.”
Goading the NHS to get its act together, Health Minister Andy Kerr said “That is why we are taking a range of measures including weekly monitoring to better track patient progress through the system and the establishment of a new cancer performance support team to help boards in driving forward improvements. We must do better on cancer and I am determined that we will.”
Source-Medindia
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