Alex Raises Cancer Care Concerns with First Minister

West Edinburgh is well served by the excellent cancer department at the Western General, but increasingly people across Scotland are finding it harder to access care in good time following a cancer diagnosis. An international study published in February showed that Scotland is among the worst both for cancer treatment delays and outcomes.

Local Lib Dem MSP, Alex Cole-Hamilton has also identified a post code lottery where people are getting rapid testing and pre-emptive surgery, which is denied to others living in different health board areas. Alex raised all this with the First Minister on the floor of parliament and has vowed to campaign hard so that every Scot has access to the highest standards of cancer care. He said:

“Far too many people are having to wait in fear for tests, results and treatment that could mean the difference between life and death. Cancer care should be an absolute priority for any government, but this international study that shows Scotland falling behind when it comes to waiting times and outcomes is deeply worrying.

"I was glad that the First Minister agreed to take this more seriously and I will keep applying pressure going forward.”