Reassurance sought about flu impact on waiting times

2.47.27pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 18th Aug 2009

Commenting on the latest official figures showing an improvement in the overall number of cancer patients treated within waiting time targets, Liberal Democrat Health spokesperson Ross Finnie MSP said:

“We are indebted to the NHS staff who have worked so hard to get waiting times down. The next step is to tackle the postcode lottery that still exists across the country.

“But patients also need to be reassured that these waiting times won’t shoot up dangerously if the anticipated flu pandemic hits this autumn.

“The Health Secretary must make sure that the NHS is prepared to cope with the extra strain that a serious flu outbreak will put on the service.”