Local MSP, Jackie Baillie has branded waiting times for key diagnostic tests for conditions such as cancer unacceptable, as new figures reveal that 6,139 people across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde were waiting longer than they should have.

The figures out this week show that one in five patients waiting for key diagnostic tests at 31 March 2018 had been waiting more than six weeks -; an increase of ten percent compared to March the previous year.

A standard waiting time of six weeks was set by the Scottish Government in 2009 for diagnostic tests such as CT and MRI scans to aid early detection of conditions like cancer or brain tumours.

Jackie said:

“These figures are simply unacceptable. Too many patients are waiting too long for key tests. The standards are in place to ensure that people get the benefit of early detection and the best possible chance of a full recovery.

“The SNP Government is presiding over longer waiting times for patients and growing pressure on our NHS. This is a Government which is out of ideas and out of time. They are failing people across Scotland. It’s time Nicola Sturgeon put the NHS before the SNP and found a new health secretary to deliver the support our NHS needs