NHS Grampian has missed a crucial target for treating cancer, despite a support team being put in place in March to help health boards meet the SNP pledge.
According to the latest figures, during April to June 2014, 89.7 per cent of patients were treated within the target period, the worst result across Scotland.
The SNP want 95 per cent of patients suspected of having cancer, and referred to hospital, to be treated within 62 days of referral.
It is widely acknowledged that an early diagnosis greatly increases the likelihood of effective treatment.
In June this year, the health secretary Alex Neil promised extra cash to help health boards meet the SNP target, while back in March support teams were also put in place to assist health boards.
NHS Grampian is one of nine health boards who have failed to meet the SNP’s target, with 92.9 per cent of patients seen within 62 days across Scotland as a whole.
Scottish Conservative North East MSP Dr Nannette Milne said:
“The SNP have completely taken their eye of the ball when it comes to meeting this key target.
“It is unacceptable that more than one in ten patients in Grampian are not being treated on time.
“They and other health boards now have a support team on top of additional funding and still, the majority are failing to meet the SNP’s target.
“We all know how lethal this disease can be, yet patients are being forced to wait for treatment.
“This is yet another example of the SNP’s chronic mismanagement of the NHS in Scotland.
“This is a Scottish Government who has forgotten its priorities and sadly cancer patients are paying the price.”