New figures have revealed a “massive” increase in the number of patients waiting too long for critical diagnostic tests for diseases like cancer due to disruption caused by covid-19.

More than 63,000 patients have been waiting for more than six weeks to receive a test at the end of second quarter of 2020 – representing nearly two-thirds of those on the waiting list.

Macmillan’s head of policy and campaigns in Scotland Kate Seymour is describing the figures as “extremely concerning”. She warns that “people with cancer can’t be expected to pay the price” of the covid-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile the number of patients getting treatment within the promised 12-week guarantee collapsed over the same period.

As of 30^th June, 86,000 Scots were on the list for treatment as an inpatient or day case, of whom 71,000 – around 83% – had been waiting longer than the recommended three months.

The drop in diagnostic testing was driven by a reduction in referrals from GPs and lower activity from March, when the NHS moved to an emergency footing and paused all but urgent activity.

The statistics released today by Health Protection Scotland relate to eight key diagnostic tests including MRI scans and endoscopies.

Currently nearly 30,000 patients are waiting for endoscopy, which is 33% higher than the end of February.

Another 68,000 are waiting for a radiology test, representing an increase of 4%.

More patients are also waiting longer. Half of all those on the list have waiting for more than double the six-week target.

Macmillan Scotland’s Kate Seymour says it a very worrying time for patients:

“While not all of those waiting for tests will have suspected cancer, many of them will. Waiting to find out whether you have a life-threatening illness is one of the most stressful experiences anyone will endure.

“Being finally diagnosed over three months after being referred for tests adds legitimate worries about how that wait may have impacted on their health and the potential consequences of a more advanced cancer requiring more invasive and debilitating treatment.”

Marion O’Neill, head of external affairs for Cancer Research UK in Scotland says the innovation that the NHS has shown dealing with the pandemic now needs to continue in dealing with its aftermath:

“The public also need to feel confident that, if they have suspected cancer symptoms, they will receive a test swiftly and safely, with minimal risk of exposure to COVID-19. Protecting diagnosis and treatment areas from the virus must be priority.

“Increasing service capacity is also essential. The introduction of infection control measures means that providing cancer services has become more time and resource intensive. Tackling the backlog of those waiting for tests will require more workforce, more equipment and the adoption of other innovations that release capacity into the system.”

Asked about the diagnostic figures today, interim Chief Medical Officer Dr Gregor Smith urged the public to contact their GP if they had worrying symptoms.

He said he was “keen to emphasise…the role that patients play in all this as well, making sure that if you have symptoms and you are worried about is that you are not simply ignoring those, sitting on those at home, waiting for things to get better.

“If you are worried about your symptoms I would far prefer that you were seeking some advice from your clinicians in relation to those, making sure that, just in the way that you would have in the past, you are accessing services to talk about your symptoms so that that those can be taken into account, so that can be prioritised as we start to re-mobilise the NHS and we make sure that people are listed for treatment according to their clinical need.”

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said that covid-19 had derailed the “significant progress” being made in tackling waiting times and warned “significant operational challenges” lay ahead for the NHS in Scotland as it restarts.

“In recent weeks, health boards have been carefully resuming a wide range of services, but the ongoing need for additional infection prevention and control measures means each clinic or theatre session will see fewer patients. However, those patients who require urgent, elective and vital cancer treatment have been, and will continue to be, prioritised.

“I recognise that there is a human story behind each and every one of these statistics, and that further delays can materially affect the quality of life of those waiting for care or treatment, with continuing pain and further anxiety.

“I am acutely aware of that, and want to be in a position where the NHS can speed up mobilisation as soon as possible – however the safety of patients and staff is always at the forefront of decisions taken.

“As we continue to deal with the virus we have to continue to balance demands and pressures, making the best decisions we can: none of which are easy and none of which are taken lightly.”

 

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