Cancer diagnostic tests 'spiralling out of control' as almost 11,000 patients waiting to be seen in Ayrshire

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Nearly 11,000 people in Ayrshire and Arran are waiting on cancer diagnostic tests, new figures show. According to Public Health Scotland, 10,934 patients were waiting to be seen as of December 2021.That figure represents a 42 per cent increase in numbers over the last two years.And the national picture shows that over 140,000 patients across Scotland are waiting to be seen for the eight key diagnostic tests, which includes the likes of upper endoscopy, lower endoscopy, CT scans, MRI scans, barium studies and non-obstetric ultrasounds.South Scotland Conservative MSP, Sharon Dowey, said: “The backlog of key diagnostic tests that has grown during the pandemic in NHS Ayrshire & Arran has now completely spiralled out of control and that is deeply concerning, as this is creating a dangerous bottleneck in the NHS.“Patients are not being treated anywhere near quickly enough in NHS Ayrshire & Arran and cancers are at real risk of going undetected.“These delays for diagnostic tests only add to the suffering of patients with underlying health problems.

This is completely unacceptable. Early detection plays a key role in any treatment of cancer.”South Scotland Labour MSP Carol Mochan said: “These are tremendously concerning figures.The Ayrshire Live app is available to download now.Get all the local news in your area – plus features, football news and the latest on the coronavirus crisis – at your fingertips 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories while you can customise your page with the sections that matter to you.The Ayrshire Live app is available to download now on iOS and Android.“Cancer treatment waiting times have been declining for quite some time across NHS Ayrshire & Arran with