Faster care for cancer patients
CANCER patients are being treated quicker than ever in Ayrshire.
New figures show that treatment is started within two months on more than 96.3 per cent of urgently referred cases.
MSP Adam Ingram revealed that the figure is above the national average of 95 per cent, up significantly since the first quarter of 2007 when just 84.5 per cent of urgent cases were beginning treatment within the govern-ment target of 62 days.
He said: “The achievement of this key cancer waiting times target on a national basis is a significant achievement and testimony to the hard work of all our NHS staff.
“The improvement since this government took office in May 2007 shows how seriously we take this issue.
“However, we must continue to strive for further improvement within specific NHS boards and cancer types and to ensure this achievement is sustained for the future.”
Mr Ingram added: “A cancer diagnosis is always extremely worrying for patients and they deserve the shortest possible wait between a decision to treat and that treatment starting.
“This government is and our NHS partners will channel every effort into making sure cancer patients are treated swiftly and to the very highest standards.”
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