The health board is facing a cancer diagnosis “ticking timebomb”.
Galloway and West Dumfries MSP Finlay Carson made the claim after it was revealed that a patient waited 262 days to begin treatment.
According to the latest information from Public Health Scotland, 76.3 per cent of patients across the country started treatment within the target time of 62 days compared to 79.2 per cent in Dumfries and Galloway. The Scottish Government say that figure should be 95 per cent.
Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Mr Carson, said: “These deeply alarming figures highlight the ticking timebomb when it comes to cancer diagnosis for patients in Dumfries and Galloway.
“An early diagnosis is absolutely crucial for patient’s chances of survival so it is hugely worrying that so many are not being starting treatment within the two-month target timeframe in Dumfries and Galloway. The Early Cancer Diagnosis Centre (ECDC) was meant to speed up cancer treatment waiting times in the region and it is concerning it does not appear to be doing so.
“It is absolutely shameful one patient had to wait 262 days to begin treatment which shows how overstretched staff and services are in the region.
“This target in relation to cancer treatment has now not been met by the SNP Government for nearly a decade, so they can’t hide behind the pandemic as an excuse.
“It is time for SNP Health Secretary Humza Yousaf to urgently come up with a plan to ensure patients in Dumfries & Galloway and across Scotland are diagnosed and receive the appropriate treatment as quickly as possible.”
A spokesperson for NHS Dumfries and Galloway said the region is above the national average but could not comment on a specific case.
They added: “As its name suggests, the Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Service (formerly ECDC) supports investigations to either rule out or identify cancers among patients who do not fit standard cancer pathways, but who are highlighted through suspicions raised by clinicians such as GPs.
“The RCDS provides rapid access to diagnostic services and does not influence the resulting treatment pathway, which, very fairly, is the same process for everyone and is based on clinical need.
“Ultimately, very many of the cancer treatments are delivered centrally, through the South of Scotland Cancer Network.
“There can be many reasons why cancer treatment may not begin within an appropriate timescale. This can be issues with capacity which can be outwith our control. It could also be due to the patient’s own choice or their clinical fitness to undergo treatment at that point.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said additional funding of £10 million to health boards, of which Dumfries and Galloway received £298,964, aims to help the issue.
“Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services are being established to provide primary care with a new fast-track diagnostic route for complex patients with non-specific symptoms that don’t meet Scottish Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer. These patients therefore aren’t on a 62 day urgent suspicion of cancer pathway and not included in quarterly 62 day statistics from Public Health Scotland.”
