Cancer waiting time performance improved slightly in latest quarter

Waiting time performance for urgent cancer referrals showed a slight improvement between July and September this year, the latest figures show.

Public Health Scotland (PHS) released data for the 62-day treatment standard, which says 95% of eligible patients should wait no longer than 62 days from urgent suspicion of cancer referral to first cancer treatment.

Between the beginning of July and the end of September 2025, there were 4,804 eligible referrals in this category.

Some 70.7% of patients started treatment within 62 days, compared with 69.9% in the previous quarter.

No Scottish health board met the 95% target.

PHS also released data on another treatment standard, which states 95% of eligible patients should wait no longer than 31 days from decision to treat to first cancer treatment.

It showed 95.1% of patients started treatment within 31 days, compared with 95.3% in the previous quarter.

Across the 15 Scottish health boards, 11 met this target.

Commenting on the 62-day figures, Scottish Labour health spokeswoman Dame Jackie Baillie said: “Nowhere is the SNP’s failure clearer than in the state of Scotland’s NHS.

“After 18 years in charge, Scotland’s health service is no longer free and available at the point of need for Scots, with many now having to go private to get help.

“More than a decade has now passed since the SNP last met its 62-day treatment target, with thousands of patients being let down in that time despite the hard work and dedication of NHS staff.

“It is simply not good enough, with Scotland facing a cancer timebomb and the poorest communities being hit hardest as a result of the SNP’s failings.”