Scotland's cancer treatment waiting times worst on record

The percentage of Scottish cancer patients receiving treatment within the target time is the lowest since records began, new figures show.

Data released by Public Health Scotland reveals almost a third of patients referred to the NHS in Scotland with an urgent suspicion of cancer are waiting longer than the 62-day target to start treatment.

The rate fell to 68.9% in the first three months of 2025 - the lowest reported since records began a decade ago.

A target that 95% of patients should start treatment within 31 days of diagnosis has also not been met.

Figures show 94.1% of patients started treatment within that timeframe.

The PHS report looks at two key cancer waiting times.

The 62-day standard is based on the time from urgent suspicion of cancer referral to first cancer treatment.

Meanwhile, the 31-day standard measures the time from a decision to treat to the start of first treatment for newly-diagnosed primary cancers.

NHS Lanarkshire was the only health board to meet the target that 95% of patients should start treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral.

The figures showed 4,373 patients were referred for treatment in the first three months of the year - an increase of 1.5% from the previous quarter.

Between July and September last year, 72.1% of patients started treatment within the target time - a decrease from 73.2% in the previous quarter of April to June.

Scottish Conservatives health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane said one patient waiting more than two months is too many.

He said: "These appalling statistics confirm Scotland is facing a ticking timebomb when it comes to cancer cases on the SNP's watch.

"SNP ministers have not met their own waiting time target in over a decade and need to cut out their pitiful excuses and act now."

Scottish Labour health spokeswoman Jackie Baillie described the figures as "disastrous".

She said: "Cancer is Scotland's biggest killer and swift treatment can be the difference between life and death - but under the SNP patients are being abandoned and the founding principles of our NHS are under threat."

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said patients "cannot depend" on the government.

He added: "It is appalling that people are enduring these lengthy waits when early intervention is crucial to survival in cancer cases."

Health Secretary Neil Gray said cancer remained a "national priority" and vowed an additional £14.23m would spent on tackling waiting times this year.

He added: "The median wait for treatment is three days, and the median wait from urgent suspicion of cancer referral to treatment is 52 days, demonstrating the extensive work by staff across Scotland to treat people as quickly and effectively as possible.

"We are treating more patients with cancer on time, within both standards, compared to the same quarter 6 years ago."

Gray said 7.7% more patients were being treated within the 31-day standard and 0.1% more within the 62-day standard.

The figures were published after the chair of the British Medical Association (BMA) in Scotland said it was "abundantly clear" that Scotland was now divided.

Dr Iain Kennedy said there was a split between people who could afford to go private and those forced to "languish" on NHS waiting lists.