THE DEMOCRATS' MODEL:

Revealed: the true scale of NHS cancer waiting times (EDDIE BARNES, 6/25/06, Scotland on Sunday)

THE shocking extent of cancer treatment delays in Scotland has been revealed in official new figures which also lay bare the postcode lottery facing patients across the country.

Despite repeated promises and billions of pounds invested, the hospital-by-hospital breakdown reveals some patients are waiting more than a year between GP referral and treatment.

The statistics also expose massive variations in average waiting times across Scotland, with some units beginning treatment for lung cancer in 10 days while others take 10 weeks.

Ministers last night admitted the situation was "unacceptable".

On the bright side, most referrals are bogus anyway.

Posted by Orrin Judd at June 25, 2006 9:35 AM