Health boards given £10m fund to improve cancer waiting times

A £10m fund is to be provided to Scottish health boards in a bid to improve cancer waiting times.

Health secretary Humza Yousaf announced the fund during a visit to one of Scotland’s first Early Cancer Diagnostic Centres (ECDC) in Fife.

The Scottish Government said the fund will be directed to where it is most needed in each region, and could be used for enhancing staff skills, investing in diagnostic tests and supporting evening and weekend working so more patients can be seen.

“Limiting the impact of Covid-19 on cancer patients has been a top priority in all of our planning, with the majority of vital cancer treatments continuing throughout the pandemic,” said Yousaf.

“Our commitment to finding and treating cancer as early as possible has never been greater. The establishment of Scotland’s first three Early Cancer Diagnostic Centres demonstrates this.

“We had pledged to open three centres within the first 100 days of this Government, so I’m delighted to say we’ve delivered on that commitment.

“This £10m will enable boards to further recover and redesign cancer services for patients across Scotland and drive improvements in waiting times.”