Cancer patients in Fife are waiting more than two months for treatment as NHS Fife continually fails to meet government targets.
In December seven patients waited longer than 62 days from urgent referral on suspicion of having the killer disease to starting treatment.
NHS Fife met the deadline in only 88.5% of cases that month and achieved 95% compliance in only one month of 2016.
In October 18% of cases exceeded 62 days.
The health authority insisted patients with the most aggressive forms of cancer usually started treatment within days of diagnosis.
However, due to capacity issues in radiology and urology it admitted meeting the target would continue to be a challenge in the first quarter of this year.
Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Alex Rowley said it was unacceptable that cancer patients were waiting longer than they should for life-saving treatment and has sought face-to-face talks with new NHS Fife chairwoman Tricia Marwick.
He said: “NHS Fife seem stretched to the limit with ongoing difficulties recruiting consultants in specialist areas.
“This is not a new issue and the failure to address it is not acceptable given we have had assurance after assurance from the Scottish Government and the last two health secretaries that steps would be taken to put alternative provision in place.”
He said he wanted answers from Ms Marwick about failures on waiting times, inability to recruit staff and the general failure of the government to plan its workforce.
This, he said, was “putting staff under immense pressure as well as creating unacceptable levels of provision including missing cancer waiting times”.
He said: “It is not good enough and we need to be united in making that clear to the government.”
NHS Fife chief operating officer Professor Scott McLean said: “NHS Fife aims to ensure that all patients who require cancer treatment receive it as quickly as possible.
“It is worth stating that those patients requiring urgent treatment for the most aggressive forms of cancer will most often begin treatment within a matter of days, and well within the 62-day standard.
“In December 2016, 54 of 61 people in Fife referred with a suspicion of cancer began treatment within 62 days of initial referral.
“Whilst the vast majority of patients were seen within the 62-day standard, a small number of patients requiring non-urgent treatment in key specialities have waited beyond this time.
“Work is under way to reduce the number of those waiting beyond 62-days.
“This involves improving treatment pathways for patients with cancer and working with our neighbouring boards to improve access to diagnostic radiological assessment.”