A Fife cancer sufferer was forced to wait more than six months for treatment after being given an “urgent referral”, new figures have revealed.
Statistics published by the Information Services Division (ISD) show the patient who had been diagnosed with a urologic cancer such as testicular, bladder, kidney or liver had the largest gap in the country.
Although the official research painted an improving picture when it came to cancer waiting times in Fife, the 187-day delay sparked fury.
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader and Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Willie Rennie said: “This appalling case of a 187-day wait for a crucial cancer treatment shows the SNP has taken their eye off the ball.
“It’s shocking for our NHS, but even worse for the patient who had to face this morally-unacceptable wait.
“Hospitals in Fife and across Scotland need adequate support so that they can get a grip of these issues. Properly resourcing our NHS is the only way to do this.”
A key Scottish Government target states 95% of people should be treated within 62 days of referral.
Fife improved from 89.5% to 92.1%.
NHS Tayside performed better than most of the country, with 97% being seen within the two-month period, while the Scotland-wide figure came up slightly short at 94.2%.
Janice Preston, head of Macmillan Cancer Support in Scotland, said: “Delays can leave patients and families very anxious and distressed, and it’s vital every effort is made to ensure these targets are not missed again.”
NHS Fife medical director Dr Frances Elliot admitted work is needed to hit the targets, but noted initiatives at improving performance.
She said: “NHS Fife acknowledges that we have faced challenges in consistently meeting the 62-day target for cancer diagnosis and treatment. While the vast majority of patients are treated within the required standard, a small number of patients have waited longer in some specialities.
“We are currently working with our colleagues at a local and regional level to avoid falling short of this waiting time standard for our patients in the future.
“Furthermore, it should also be noted that NHS Fife continues to consistently meet the 31-day target for cancer diagnosis.”
Seven health boards met the 62-day standard but seven did not, with Grampian, Highland, Orkney, Shetland, Ayrshire and Arran, and Greater Glasgow and Clyde all joining Fife in failing to achieve the target.
Health Secretary Shona Robison welcomed a steady rise in the number of patients starting cancer treatment more quickly, but said more needed to be done to ensure no-one was waiting unnecessarily.
The Dundee City East MSP added: “For any patient who receives a diagnosis of cancer it can be an extremely difficult time, and getting fast access to specialist treatment is vitally important.”
She continued: “The quality of cancer care is something that, as a country, we value deeply, and it is why the Scottish Government has been working to ensure people get access to treatment as quickly as possible, within the stringent targets we set ourselves.”