Dumfries and Galloway is facing a “timebomb” of cancer cases, it has been claimed.
Figures released by Public Health Scotland show the number of cases diagnosed in Dumfries and Galloway dropped from 1,115 in 2019 to 1,008 in 2020.
Labour’s South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth said the data reveals the impact Covid-19 has had as many clinics were stopped as the health service battled the pandemic.
Mr Smyth said: “These figures lay bare the scale of the devastation the pandemic inflicted on cancer services in Scotland.
“Early detection is key to saving lives, but that went out the window in 2020.
“We know that the incidents of cancer are growing and are projected to double between 2010 and 2030. So, the fact the number of diagnosis is falling means there are more and more people out there who have cancer but don’t know it.
“The SNP have had one warning after another about this but have continually buried their heads in the sand.
“This dangerous complacency is costing lives and causing the chaos we see in cancer services now.”
The local health board has previously given advice on the situation.
At the time they said: “During Covid NHS Dumfries and Galloway protected and continued to operate core services including cancer diagnosis and treatment.
“As such, anyone with any concerns or symptoms will have had continued access to the same diagnostic and treatment pathways.
“Some cancer screening was suspended on a national basis last year but resumed within a few months.”
Mr Smyth also took aim at A&E waiting times in Dumfries and Galloway in the same week as Health Secretary Humza Yousaf visited DGRI.
In NHS Dumfries and Galloway 83.8 per cent of people attending accident and emergency were admitted, transferred or discharged in four hours which is short of the Scottish Government’s target of 95 per cent. Smyth said: “Week after week accident and emergency rooms across the south of Scotland are in chaos, despite the tireless work of NHS staff, who are being forced to go above and beyond to make up for SNP failure.
“A&E is getting stuck in a state of permanent crisis – it is not good enough.
“We need urgent action to end delayed discharge and increase the number of hospital beds which will help to get A&E back on its feet and save lives.”
The local health board has also previously issues guidance on the matter.
At the time a spokesperson said: “Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary’s emergency department has one of the quickest response times in Scotland. People are seen and assessed rapidly, with treatment provided as quickly as possible – based on clinical urgency.
“There are frequently reasons why a patient may be required to wait with staff in the emergency department beyond the four-hour target window. This can include waiting for transport arrangements to return home or awaiting transfer on to a specialist facility in another Board area. It is also often because treatment is still ongoing.”
