NHS cancer waiting time failures are a 'national disgrace'

Outcry after every health board in Scotland misses key targets

- VIVIENNE AITKEN

CANCER waiting times have been missed in every single health board in Scotland.

The latest figures have been branded "a national disgrace".

Statistics published yesterday showed the Scottish Government missed both its 62-day and 31-day targets in the latest quarter.

Last night Labour health spokeswoman Jackie Baillie warned the long waits for cancer treatment are putting lives at risk.

Baillie said: "Cancer is Scotland's biggest killer but the SNP has stood idly by while services faced a deadly decline.

"Quick cancer treatment can mean the difference between life and death and it is a national disgrace that so many people are not getting the urgent treatment they need.

"Staff are working tirelessly to treat patients timeously but they are being badly failed. These long waits are putting lives at risk and the pressure on services is putting the very future of our NHS at risk."