Question reference: S3W-37809
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 24 November 2010
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Current status: Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 1 December 2010
Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how long it should take for a colonoscopy procedure following a positive test on a bowel screening programme.
Answer
The time from bowel screening test result to date colonoscopy performed is a key performance indicator for the National Bowel Screening Programme.
In its commitment to continue to drive down waiting times for cancer treatment, the Scottish Government has included patients diagnosed with cancer following a positive screening testing in the 62-day cancer waiting time target. Patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer referred through the National Bowel Screening Programme are expected to have completed their diagnostic tests (including colonoscopy where appropriate) and received their first treatment within 62 days. Performance against this target will be published for the first time in December 2010 for quarter July to September 2010.