OPPOSITION politicians are urging the Scottish Government to take notice after a hard hitting report raised serious concerns about the way cancer patients are looked after in Scotland.
Delays obtaining a diagnosis, a chaotic appointments system and gaps in after care were all highlighted by the survey of more than 2600 cancer sufferers.
Analysis of their comments found there were more positive than negative reflections on the treatment people received, but it nevertheless found many people had encountered staff who were rude or uncaring. The administration system of NHS Scotland was described as "not fit for purpose".
Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesman Alex Cole-Hamilton said the survey responses suggested staff are overstretched and struggling to provide the support patients require.
He said: “NHS staff across Scotland do fantastic work to support people suffering from cancer and this is reflected in the many positive comments that were received in the patient survey. But health service workers would be the first to recognise that there are real causes for concern here too.
“When it comes to cancer, early diagnosis saves lives and we need to ensure that people are not left in the dark for months on end. We know that the 62 day treatment target has been missed and missed again. With patients raising concerns over waits for diagnosis and staffing levels this survey suggests that staff are overstretched and need additional support."
Labour Health spokesperson Anas Sarwar said: “The SNP should take notice of the findings of this report. It is clear that waiting times for diagnosis and treatment need to be addressed.
“The anxiety caused by waiting for an appointment can have an impact on an individual, their family and also their work."
The Scottish Cancer Patient Experience Survey was commissioned jointly by Macmillan Cancer Support and the Scottish Government. Shona Robison, Scottish Health Secretary, said: "We will use these findings to help us take forward our new cancer strategy, which is backed by £100 million over five years to tackle cancer through prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment and after care - with a continuous focus on improving quality and, vitally, outcomes for people with cancer.”
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