Scotland’s Health Secretary Neil Gray has welcomed new figures showing that the 31-day cancer treatment standard has been met, while acknowledging that more work is needed to improve performance against the 62-day standard for patients with an urgent suspicion of cancer.
According to the latest quarterly statistics, 95.3% of patients diagnosed with cancer began their first treatment within 31 days of the decision to treat—meeting the national target. The median wait time was just two days, the joint lowest on record, reflecting significant progress in streamlining treatment pathways.
However, performance against the 62-day standard – which measures the time from urgent referral to first treatment – stood at 69.9%, a slight improvement on the previous quarter but still well below the 95% target.
Between April and June 2025, there were 4,888 eligible referrals under the 62-day standard, representing an 11.8% increase from the previous quarter and a 31.3% rise compared to the same period in 2019. This surge in referrals highlights growing demand and pressure on cancer services.
Commenting on this progress, Gray said:
“It is positive that the 31-day standard has been met, with 95.3% of patients starting their cancer treatment within 31 days. The median wait for treatment was two days, this is the joint lowest on record. This is testament to all of our hard-working teams across the country and I thank them for their outstanding efforts. We’re treating more patients with cancer on time within both the 31-day and 62-day standards, compared to pre-pandemic and 10 years ago.
“However, continued diagnostic pressure and an increase in referrals is affecting 62-day performance. We recognise that we must do more to ensure more patients are treated within the 62-day standard.
“I am determined to drive further improvements and have directed £14.23 million of the £110 million in additional planned care funding for 2025/26 to Cancer Waiting Times, with a focus on colorectal, urological and breast as our most challenged pathways.”
The Scottish Government remains committed to improving cancer outcomes and reducing waiting times, with ongoing efforts to expand diagnostic capacity, streamline referral pathways, and support NHS staff in delivering timely care.
Image credit iStock
