Jackie Baillie has branded the new cancer waiting times “catastrophic”, as performance falls to its lowest point on record.

New figures for the quarter ending 31 March 2022 show performance against the 62-day cancer waiting times target plummeting to the lowest point since records began, with just 76.9 percent of patients starting treatment within the target time.

The figure is even lower in the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board area at just 72.1 percent.

Shockingly just 50 percent of people in the region, which includes West Dunbartonshire, with a suspicion of ovarian cancer are starting treatment within 62 days.

Performance has plummeted sharply since the pandemic – but the SNP have continually missed this vital target for 10 years.

Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie said: “These catastrophic figures must be a wake-up call for the SNP government, who have so far been posted missing as cancer services fall into chaos.

“Nicola Sturgeon promised to focus on recovery, but as cancer waiting times hit their worst point on record she is distracted by her constitutional obsession.

“The SNP have ignored warning after warning from clinicians about the mounting pressure on cancer services, and there is no doubt that this shameful negligence will cost lives. Only half of all people with suspected ovarian cancer within the Greater Glasgow and Clyde region are starting treatment within 62 days. This is not good enough.

“We urgently need a real cancer catch-up plan to get everyone the treatment they need, when they need it.

“There is no time to waste when the stakes are this high – the SNP must get back to the day job and fix this crisis.”