Scottish Conservative and Unionist Craig Hoy MSP has warned of a “ticking timebomb” of cancer cases in NHS Lothian.
Craig’s call comes after new statistics revealed over a quarter of cancer patients across Scotland are not being seen within the SNP’s 62-day target time to begin treatment following referral.
He says the “appalling” waiting times in NHS Lothian are putting lives in East Lothian at risk, given starting treatment as early as possible is crucial to a patient’s chance of survival.
He has accused the SNP government of failing to invest in frontline care in NHS Lothian, meaning dedicated staff simply cannot see patients quickly enough.
Craig Hoy added that successive SNP health secretaries have failed to meet their national target for well over a decade now and still have no plan to fix the cancer care crisis.
Craig Hoy MSP said: “We are continuing to face a ticking timebomb when it comes to dealing with cancer cases in NHS Lothian.
“These appalling waiting times are putting lives at risk. Everyone knows someone who has cancer or who has had it in the past, and they know how crucial starting treatment as early as possible is for the chances of survival.
“Despite the best efforts of dedicated staff in NHS Lothian, they simply do not have the resources to ensure all patients are seen on time.
“They are dealing with the consequences of successive SNP health secretaries failing to invest in frontline care or having any plan to fix the cancer care crisis.
“The SNP have failed to meet their national cancer waiting time target for over a decade now. It is time for them to fix this crisis and ensure patients in East Lothian are not waiting months on end to begin treatment.”