Funding for better cancer diagnostic services in Scotland

£8 million of Scottish Government funding is being invested into support for cancer diagnostic services.

Part of the £850 million Waiting Times Improvement Plan, this funding will specifically support cancer and diagnostic waiting times this year.

With almost 57% more patients being referred with an urgent suspicion of cancer since 2010, £4.8 million of the money will be directed towards diagnostic services.

The funding will support health boards in creating more capacity through additional CT, MRI and scope sessions and workforce expansion to ensure those waiting for tests are seen as quickly as possible.

It will also target improvements to cancer pathways, with a particular focus on urological and colorectal cancers.

Scottish Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said:“Waiting on diagnostic tests can be a worrying experience, particularly if there is a suspicion of cancer. It’s vital that people get a result as quickly as possible.

“That is why I launched our £850 million Waiting Times Improvement Plan last year, directing significant investment into substantial and sustainable improvement including diagnostics, which is crucial for cancer care.

“The immediate focus of the Improvement Plan is to reduce waits for patients whose treatment is urgent and this £8.2 million will support health boards in achieving this vital requirement by spring 2021.”