Fifth of cancer patients say hospital care should have come sooner

More than a fifth of cancer patients feel they should have been seen at hospital sooner, a survey suggests, despite almost all patients feeling positive about the care they received.

The Cancer Patient Experience Survey recorded 4,540 responses among patients between October 2022 and June 2023.

Patients were asked for their experience of cancer care and treatment, with 95% expressing a positive view.

Among those who were seen at a GP clinic before going to hospital, 78% said they felt they were seen as soon as necessary.

However, 13% said they should have been seen “a bit” sooner and 9% said they should have been seen “a lot” sooner.

The survey results come as new data from Public Health Scotland shows a key waiting time target was not met in the first three months of 2024.

On the 31-day standard – from decision to treat to first cancer treatment – 94.1% were seen within this time, with the target being 95%.

Responding to the survey, Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “I am pleased that the experience of cancer care in Scotland is so highly rated as positive.

“When we published our cancer strategy and the associated cancer action plan in 2023, we set out our aim of improved cancer survival and the provision of excellent, equitably accessible care.

“The fact that 95% of people are positive about their overall experience indicates that we are progressing towards our aim, and towards our ambition of putting people with cancer at the heart of all decisions and actions involving them.

“We are committed to further improvements in cancer care, which is why we are continuing to invest in initiatives that support earlier and faster diagnosis and drive person-centred and holistic care.”

Scottish Labour’s health spokeswoman Dame Jackie Baillie said: “As the testimony of cancer patients themselves reminds us, early intervention is the key to beating cancer – but the SNP government’s continued failure to meet waiting time targets is putting lives at risk.”

She said the survey had revealed that almost three-quarters of patients are not receiving a cancer care plan, adding: “Our fantastic NHS staff can provide world-class treatment at the most challenging times in life – but this is cold comfort to those languishing on NHS waiting lists or who can’t get an appointment with their GP in the first place.

“A cancer diagnosis affects every part of a patient’s life, but this report shows that the lack of joined-up thinking means all too often care stops when the patient walks out of the hospital door.”