Grampian breast cancer patients treated at Forth Valley
NHS Grampian is trying to reduce its waiting times
- Published
Hundreds of breast cancer patients in north-east Scotland have travelled to NHS Forth Valley for appointments as NHS Grampian attempts to reduce its waiting times.
Since October 2023, more than 500 patients have travelled to the central belt for initial assessment and diagnosis.
About 20 have undergone surgery there.
NHS Grampian said it accepted current waits for those referred with an urgent suspicion of breast cancer were too long and NHS Forth Valley was providing some additional support.
The health board said this would continue until June this year when a new specialty doctor would join, improving its ability to treat people locally.
It is also redesigning the service to make better use of Advanced Nurse Practitioners to increase capacity.
It is hoped all appointments will be offered in Grampian from June, but the health board said it would keep the situation under review.