AN MSP has called on Scottish Health Secretary Humza Yousaf to urgently review the desperate plight faced by many cancer sufferers in Dumfries and Galloway.
Last year, 18 per cent of patients locally did not begin treatment within two months of a referral of a suspicion of cancer.
It has been described as a “deeply concerning” situation by Galloway and West Dumfries MSP Finlay Carson.
He highlighted the plight of many in rural areas and called on the Scottish health secretary to come up with a plan to ensure no patient is waiting longer than necessary to begin treatment.
Mr Carson said: “The pandemic has greatly impacted on cancer services in our NHS.
“As we continue to tackle covid, urgent reassurances must be given by the SNP health secretary that patients will be treated as quickly as possible.
“These waiting times are unacceptable and we must see Humza Yousaf deliver a concrete plan before these delays to begin treatment become even longer.”
A new fast-track cancer diagnostic centre has already been established in Dumfries and Galloway, and while a review of how successful that has been is still to be undertaken, it is hopefully a step in the right direction
Meanwhile, South Scotland SNP MSP Emma Harper also focused on the injustice of cancer care for people in Dumfries and Galloway during a parliamentary debate.
She highlighted that many people in Dumfries and Galloway with a cancer diagnosis are often required to travel to Edinburgh for parts of their cancer treatment – such as radiotherapy and specialist services – instead of making the shorter journey to Glasgow.
In this region, 1135 people currently live with cancer and there are around 530 people who lose their lives to cancer each year.
Mr Yousaf said: “I have taken on board the comments made by MSPs regarding the full restoration of cancer services as a matter or urgency.”
