WAKE UP CALL FOR OUR NHS

26k cancer patients left waiting longer than 62-day standard

JOHN Swinney has been warned Scotland is "sleepwalking" into a two-tier health system where some patients can pay to access treatment quicker than others.

The First Minister was asked by Anas Sarwar to explain why 26,000 cancer patients have waited longer than the 62-day standard for beginning treatment over the last 12 years.

The Scottish Labour leader said NHS waiting times were the biggest reason for the increasing number of Scots choosing to pay for private healthcare.

Swinney said there needed to be a "serious conversation" about the future of the NHS following the outcome of the General Election next week.

It comes as the NHS continues to struggle with long waits for treatment in both A&E wards and cancer referrals.

Recent figures showed the Scottish Government had never met its target to ensure 95 per cent of patients wait no longer than 62 days for treatment after an urgent suspicion of cancer referral.

Scotland also showed the worst waiting times for chemotherapy in the UK with patients waiting on average 65 days, compared with 58 in Wales, 57 in Northern Ireland and 48 days in England.

Sarwar hit out at the final session of FMQs at Holyrood yesterday before the Scottish Parliament closed for summer recess. The Glasgow MSP said: