Mackay welcomes £2.85m funding for cancer services

Renfrewshire North & West MSP Derek Mackay has welcomed the announcement of £2.85 million of funding to help improve cancer services. 

The investment announced today by Health Secretary Shona Robison will be directed to health boards to reduce waiting times, and particularly to speed up access to diagnostic tests. Discussions are currently being held with the boards to determine the most effective way to spend the money. 

The number of people being diagnosed with cancer has increased in recent years, mainly due to the ageing population. Better treatment has also meant more people are cured than ever before, and more are living longer with the disease. 

The work will complement the Scottish Government’s £100 million cancer strategy, which aims to improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment over the next ten years. 

Mr Mackay said: 

“Greater awareness to cancer has led to more people coming forward to get their symptoms checked. This means more demand on services, and that’s a challenge the Government are ready to meet. 

“This investment will support health boards to reduce waiting times, and ensure that people get a vital early diagnosis so that treatment, if required, can start as soon as possible.”