Written Question · S1W-04613 · Session 1
What is the average waiting time for cancer patients to receive radiotherapy treatment, following diagnosis, broken down by health board ar…
The question
To ask the Scottish Executive what is the average waiting time for cancer patients to receive radiotherapy treatment, following diagnosis, broken down by health board area for 1998-99 and to date in 1999-2000.
The answer
Cancer is one of the top clinical priorities for the NHS in Scotland.One aspect of this strategic priority is to improve information about cancer and its treatment within the NHS in Scotland. Therefore, since 1 January 1997 the Scottish Cancer Registry has recorded details of all patients registered since that time who receive radiotherapy treatment within six months of diagnosis (see note below), and the mean and median time in weeks between diagnosis and the start of this treatment. These data for 1997 are set out in the table attached.These data must be interpreted with caution.The date of diagnosis is taken to be the date of first consultation at, or admission to, hospital for the cancer in question.
No distinction can be made between curative and palliative treatment.
Assumptions cannot be made about the apparent variations in the interval between the (assumed) date of diagnosis and date of first radiotherapy treatment, as this may reflect a variety of planned treatment decisions and circumstances, including sequencing of different modalities of treatment and the first manifestation of metastatic disease requiring radiotherapy, which can be many weeks after first diagnosis.
Cancer registration data are collected retrospectively and 1997 is the most recent completed year currently available.The reduction of waiting times for cancer investigation and treatment is a high priority within the Scottish Cancer Group's work programme.Number of cancer patients receiving radiation treatment within six months of diagnosis1, the mean and median time (in weeks) between diagnosis and start of this treatment, by health board of residence, 19972Health Board | Total number of cases of cancer registered for 19973 | Total number commencing radiotherapy within six months of diagnosis4 | Mean | Median
Argyll & Clyde | 2,060 | 462 | 10.7 | 9.1
Ayrshire and Arran | 1,956 | 381 | 10.8 | 9.9
Borders | 560 | 107 | 10.4 | 9.1
No distinction can be made between curative and palliative treatment.
Assumptions cannot be made about the apparent variations in the interval between the (assumed) date of diagnosis and date of first radiotherapy treatment, as this may reflect a variety of planned treatment decisions and circumstances, including sequencing of different modalities of treatment and the first manifestation of metastatic disease requiring radiotherapy, which can be many weeks after first diagnosis.
Cancer registration data are collected retrospectively and 1997 is the most recent completed year currently available.The reduction of waiting times for cancer investigation and treatment is a high priority within the Scottish Cancer Group's work programme.Number of cancer patients receiving radiation treatment within six months of diagnosis1, the mean and median time (in weeks) between diagnosis and start of this treatment, by health board of residence, 19972Health Board | Total number of cases of cancer registered for 19973 | Total number commencing radiotherapy within six months of diagnosis4 | Mean | Median
Argyll & Clyde | 2,060 | 462 | 10.7 | 9.1
Ayrshire and Arran | 1,956 | 381 | 10.8 | 9.9
Borders | 560 | 107 | 10.4 | 9.1
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S1W-04613 by reference.