Cancer waiting times in Forth Valley dubbed "ticking timebomb" by MSP
The state of cancer waiting times in the region has been labelled a 'ticking timebomb' — as new figures reveal one patient waited more than five months to begin treatment.
The issue has been put in the spotlight after data was published by Public Health Scotland.
This highlighted the compliance of Scotland's health boards with national targets related to the wait time between patients being urgently referred over a suspicion of cancer to kicking off treatment.
A Scottish Government target states that 95 per cent of patients should be seen within 62 days of that urgent suspicion of cancer referral.
But only a single health board — NHS Lanarkshire — met that goal from January 1 to March 31.
In Forth Valley, the figure sat at 71.7 per cent, with 203 people being seen within the 62 day guideline.
The average wait time for patients was within the target at 42 days - but one unlucky person was forced to wait 163 days.
Conservative Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Alexander Stewart took aim at the Scottish Government's handling of waiting times — and said more money must be dedicated to fixing frontline services.
Mr Stewart said: 'These shocking statistics point to a ticking timebomb of cancer cases in NHS Forth Valley and across Scotland as a whole.
'While there appears to be a slight improvement over the national average here, Forth Valley's 71 per cent average is still woefully poor and way under the nationalists' own 95 per cent target.
'One patient waiting this long for is one too many, but on the SNP's watch far too many patients are suffering potentially deadly delays.
'Early diagnosis is crucial to a patient's chances of survival and my thoughts are with any patient and their families in Forth Valley who are dealing with these delays.
'NHS Forth Valley's and our wider NHS's exceptionally dedicated, hard-working staff are trying their best against considerable headwinds, however consistency is key to bringing waiting times down.
'The SNP have been missing in action and are presiding over a cancer care crisis.
'Vital resources are being squandered on backroom bureaucracy and pen-pushing while frontline services in Forth Valley are completely overwhelmed.
In response, an NHS Forth Valley spokesman highlighted its positive performance in the 31-day target — the period between decision to treat to first cancer treatment.
Ten of Scotland's 15 health boards complied with the 95 per cent target under that measurement.
The spokesman said: 'NHS Forth Valley consistently meets or exceeds the national cancer treatment target which aims to ensure 95 per cent of patients diagnosed with cancer start their treatment within 31 days of a decision to treat.
'Our recent performance in relation to the 62-day cancer target is also above the Scottish average and the third highest NHS Board in Scotland.
'However, we recognise that there is more to do to further improve performance and we continue to work closely with regional colleagues to reduce waiting times for local patients who require specialist tests and treatment in centres out with Forth Valley.'
The national struggles with cancer waiting times were put to First Minister John Swinney at last week's First Minister's Questions at Holyrood.
Mr Swinney expressed his 'regret' over the lack of compliance with the waiting times target and added: 'The [Scottish] Government is focusing on improving the activities and the investment that is made in individual boards to ensure that the performance can be improved.
'We are able to demonstrate, as the data shows, that, in parts of the country, the target is being met.
'It is being met in Lanarkshire; the model of care in Lanarkshire, which is achieving both the 62-day target and the 31-day target, is meeting the standard.
'We are ensuring that learning from NHS Lanarkshire is being applied in other boards around the country to ensure that improved performance is achieved.
'That is the approach that the Government is taking to ensure that the needs of patients are met and that we can move at the earliest possible opportunity to address any concerns about cancer in the population.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
7 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
My hair's so thin you can see my scalp but miracle £8 product fixes it in seconds, it's an instant confidence boost
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MUM has revealed her top hack for making thin hair look instantly thicker - and it will only cost you £8. Yasmine Fagerson, 31, started suffering from hair loss as a child and found her locks thinned even more when she went on to have kids of her own. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Yasmine Fagerson has suffered from hair loss and thinning for 20 years Credit: Tiktok/@yasminefagerson 5 The mum left people stunned after revealing her clever hack to make her hair look fuller Credit: Tiktok/@yasminefagerson As a result, she has been left with very little coverage on the crown of her head which she admits leaves her feeling self-conscious. Although completely natural, hair loss and hair thinning are two very common concerns for millions of people across the UK. We can lose between 50 and 100 hairs a day, according to the NHS. It is not usually something to worry about, but occasionally it can be a sign of a medical condition. These include illness, stress, cancer treatment, weight loss and iron deficiency. The NHS advises to book an appointment with your GP to see if you can get to the cause of it if it is affecting your wellbeing. For mum-of-four Yasmine, from Scotland, hair loss is something she has struggled with for the past two decades. She told Fabulous: "My hair loss journey started when I was 11-years-old due to a stressful event in my life. "My doctor prescribed medical shampoo, but it was still very thin and fine on the top. "Also with three pregnancies it's not exactly helped either with the hair on top." Dani Harmer shares shocking insight into perimenopausal hair loss as she admits she's got bald patches & severe thinning She added: "My hair is healthy and I saw the hairdresser today who said that, it's just very thin on the top. "Because my natural hair is so dark too it's really obvious that it's thin as you can see my white scalp easily." The brunette beauty, married to Scottish rugby hero Zander Fagerson, has tried root sprays in the past but struggled to find one that would successfully stain her scalp to give the illusion of more hair. Now, however, she has opened up about her clever haircare routine that has given her a major confidence boost. And it's all thanks to the Josh Wood Colour Airbrush Root Spray, which is available in blonde, brown and dark brown. While the product is designed as a "temporary quick fix" to disguise stray greys or strips of regrowth between colouring, Yasmine has found it is also the perfect solution for her thinning hair. She said: "I'm not wanting to cover grey hair, I'm wanting to stain my scalp. Which the Josh Woods root spray is really good at doing. "It's like a dry shampoo kinda texture, I don't even use dry shampoo anymore because my hair doesn't look greasy after using it." 5 Yasmine's tutorial using the miracle root spray proved a huge comfort for others Credit: Tiktok/@yasminefagerson 5 She swears by the bargain product as part of her haircare routine Credit: Tiktok/@yasminefagerson The Josh Woods root spray is priced at £10 on Amazon or just £8 from Boots - with a current buy one, get one half price offer bringing that cost down even more. Yasmine uses the miracle product two to three times a week and only has to stock up once a month. She swears by the root spray for covering her scalp to "hide the fact she has thin hair on the top". And she insists it is both sweat-proof and waterproof if you go swimming. She added: "It lasts for ages, I had to wash my hair multiple times to show how thin I am. I just do a light touch up here and there." Yasmine took to TikTok (@yasminefagerson) to show just how effective the bargain product is with a quick hair tutorial. In the clip, she said: "When I tell people I have thin hair on the top, they're always like, no you don't. "This is me out of the shower, I've washed it really well and this is because I normally use root spray to cover my head so I don't look bald. But as you can see from here, that is a very thin head. "So I'm going to do my hair and then I'm going to show you what I do to hide it." 5 Social media users hailed Yasmine's amazing results Credit: Tiktok/@yasminefagerson Yasmine revealed she always dries and straightens her hair as normal, before generously applying the root spray to the thin patch on the top of her head. After she's sprayed it, she uses her hairdryer and a large paddle brush to set the product and style her hair. And the results are incredible, with her locks looking instantly thicker and fuller. "Look how much better that is already. I feel so much more confident and happy with my hair", she gushed. "So yes, that is my insecurity but this little thing helps with it massively. So if anyone else has got this kind of problem, have a wee check out of the root spray because it is amazing. "I normally buy it off Amazon but I actually went to the website this time because they didn't have my colour and I'm using the dark brown for obvious reasons." SOCIAL MEDIA SUPPORT Yasmine's video quickly racked up 11,000 views and proved a huge comfort for other women who struggle with insecurities over their thinning hair. One exclaimed: "WOW would never have known, lots of people suffer with this, myself included." "Looks great, it makes it look so thick", insisted a second. A third wrote: "What a fab tip! Thank you for sharing. I have thinning hair on top too, I believe PCOS has caused mine. I think it's much more common than we think!" A fourth echoed: "Thanks for sharing - I have thin hair on top, so to hide it I usually pull it back to hide, but my sides are very thin too, and can't stand having my hair down." "I have a similar problem and have tried a few things but this looks fab. Your hair always looks so thick so thanks for sharing", added a fifth. Meanwhile, a sixth said: "Thank you for posting this - I have the same problem and just ordered this spray." HAIR LOSS REASONS Jack Merrick-Thirlway, creative director at Neville Hair & Beauty, said hereditary hair loss is the most common type of hair loss and is transmitted through your genes. This type of hair loss can start from teen years and although will be difficult to treat, it can be slowed down if treated immediately. Hormonal imbalances may also cause you to lose hair. Pregnancy and the menopause are two key times when hormonal imbalances can occur, leading to changes in hair thickness. However, chronic stress and certain medications can also contribute to these imbalances. Another hair saboteur is excessive friction. Jacks says those who are wearing a tight ponytail repeatedly may find themselves experiencing hair loss. Finally, using the wrong products or having too many chemical treatments can lead to hair loss. HAIR GROWTH TIPS So, how can we encourage our hair to grow? Jack says that when shopping for new products to help with hair thickness, there are few ingredients to look out for. 'I'd advise looking out for ingredients such as biotin, collagen, amino acids and products containing vitamin B3. These all help strengthen the hair follicles and promote growth. 'That said, if you feel out of your depth, you can also seek advice with your hair stylist.' Be wary of too many chemicals in your styling products as they can exacerbate hair loss - and you should also not wash it too often. 'To ensure your hair stays healthy it is important not to over wash it,' advises Jack. 'Instead try and limit washing your hair to two or three times a week. "Use a gentle shampoo and conditioner to make sure you do not remove any moisture.'
The National
7 hours ago
- The National
UK Government 'must take Scottish approach to disability payments'
Welcome to this week's Branch Office Updates! Subscribe (for free) by clicking on the linked banner above. A PROMINENT disability campaigner has called for the UK Labour Government to take the 'more humane' approach Scotland is taking with disability payments. It comes after the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill passed its first hurdle on Tuesday. When the legislation was first announced, it included measures to limit eligibility for Pip, the main disability benefit in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and freeze the health-related element of universal credit. But a huge backbench rebellion saw the changes to Pip stripped from the legislation with a review commissioned. The so-called Timms review is expected to report next autumn after consulting with the disabled community and stakeholders. READ MORE: Faslane nuclear base radioactive secrets to be released after FoI battle That same day, Marylynne Hunter – an ex-Labour member and activist who resigned in March – told The National that she received a call from Social Security Scotland, who administers the devolved Adult Disability Payment (ADP) and Child Disability Payment. Her daughter Freya has severe complex health problems and disabilities, is non-verbal and blind and requires full-time oxygen and at-home nursing care. 'The guy from Social Security Scotland was amazing. They actually spoke to me with dignity and respect,' she said. 'And I was part of those consultations way back with (former minister for equalities) Jeane Freeman in the Scottish Parliament talking about the way in which you're spoken to by people down in Westminster sometimes before it was devolved and it could be quite distressing.' Hunter added: 'But this guy was brilliant. The dignity and respect part is there, you know, it's completely there. It was actually a really nice meeting, and he met Freya online and everything and he was lovely.' (Image: Marylynne Hunter) She also said that with the Scotland's Child Disability Payment, with someone with Freya's condition, they won't have to reapply for the Adult Disability Payment – an aspect which would have been the case if she was applying for PiP. 'She'll just naturally go to the next stage of Adult Disability Payment without any big forms or anything,' Hunter said. 'It's just a wee form that you have to fill in because she's not going to get better. So, that's the Scottish way of doing it. But if it had been the English way of doing it, I would have had to have reapplied. I would have had to have applied for Pip for Freya. And it would have been horrific.' She added: 'It's that whole thing about having to do that big massive form again and talk about what she can't do. I'd rather talk about what she can do, because that's distressing when I have to talk about what Freya needs in terms of her medical care. It's horrific. I don't want to be reminded of that because it's really difficult for me to deal with.' 'The Scottish Government do it in a really good way where they take all the information from the GP and consultants and they don't put you through that torture.' Hunter went on: 'You know what, that's the power of consultation with people who are on the ground with lived experience. The Scottish Government did that, they've consulted with people who are actually accessing these benefits. 'They've done it right.'
STV News
7 hours ago
- STV News
Record number of children referred to scheme to prevent animal cruelty
A record number of children have taken part in a Scottish SPCA scheme that aims to help young people who have shown tendencies to be cruel to animals. Said to be the first of its kind in the UK, the Animal Guardians programme is an early-intervention initiative designed to prevent animal cruelty by fostering compassion and empathy in young people aged three to 16. Those referred to the scheme include children who have physically harmed or killed an animal or behaved uncaringly, such as teasing an animal or cutting its fur or whiskers. The programme supported 27 children and young people in June, making it the busiest month since the initiative began in 2018. Since the scheme launched, more than 300 children from across Scotland have been directed to it, with referrals coming from educational establishments, health and social care professionals, parents and carers, Scottish SPCA inspectors, and third-sector children's organisations. Susan Witton, Animal Guardians youth engagement officer, said: 'Animal Guardians is about prevention and protection – for both animals and children. 'We're seeing clear evidence that with the right support, young people can learn compassion and emotional control that stays with them for life.' The Scottish SPCA said in one recent case, a four-year-old was observed tormenting the family dog – pulling its tail, disturbing its sleep, and mimicking aggressive behaviour. After a health visitor raised concerns, a Scottish SPCA youth engagement officer worked with the child over eight sessions, encouraging empathy and gentle handling through the use of soft toy animals, praise, and structured play. The parent, who joined the final session, later reported a marked improvement, saying the child no longer disturbs the dog while sleeping and had even reminded the parent to 'use gentle hands' when interacting with the pet. Last year, 102 children completed Animal Guardians – a 44% increase on 2023. In the first half of 2025, 52 young people have already participated, a 7% year-to-date increase. The Scottish SPCA said it is not known why June saw a record number of participants, but that it may be due to growing awareness of the programme and stronger partnerships with external agencies. The University of Edinburgh is carrying out an ongoing evaluation of the scheme, which now operates in 90% of Scottish local authorities. A study published in February by Professor Jo Williams and her research team at the university found children who participated in Animal Guardians showed significantly greater improvements than those in the control group in areas such as animal welfare knowledge, behaviour towards animals, and both cognitive and behavioural empathy. As the summer holidays begin, the Scottish SPCA is encouraging families to behave in a safe and respectful manner when around animals and wildlife. The charity is urging adults to supervise children during interactions with animals, whether in the home, neighbourhood or wider community. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
