Cancer Research UK called on the Scottish Government for more funding after figures showed 722 out of 1,202 patients (60%) in the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board area managed to start treatment within the first 62 days following an urgent suspected cancer referral.

It means 480 people waited longer than 62 days, the standard the SNP administration is targeted to.

The data relates to the first three months of 2023.

Across Scotland, the report shows that only 69 per cent started treatment within the first 62 days, well below the Scottish Government’s target of 95 per cent and the worst performance on record (since 2012).

Cancer Research UK’s public affairs manager in Scotland, Dr Sorcha Hume, said: “It is disappointing but not unexpected to see that waiting times targets are still not being met and that people in Scotland are still waiting too long for diagnosis and treatment.

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