STAFF shortages are driving “extremely dangerous” delays to cancer diagnosis and care, medics have warned.

The alarm was raised by the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) after their UK-wide survey of all cancer centre and radiology department leaders found every cancer centre in Scotland saw patients facing delays to drug-based treatment, with eight in 10 seeing delays to radiotherapy.

Scottish government figures show that in 2025, almost 100,000 people waited over six weeks to have a scan or diagnostic test, while just 71 per cent started cancer treatment within 62 days of a referral. The target is 95 per cent.

Pointing to data showing NHS Scotland has 28 per cent fewer radiologists and 18 per cent fewer clinical oncologists than it needs to meet current demand, the RCR warned the figures could soar to 37 per cent and 58 per cent respectively without Scottish government action to boost training places and permanent posts.

RCR president Dr Stephen Harden said: “Delays to diagnosis and cancer treatment are extremely dangerous, particularly in deprived and rural communities where shortages are worst.

“Recruitment freezes and growing reliance on outsourcing are making the situation worse, not better.

“Alarm bells should be ringing for governments across the UK. 

“Without urgent action to train, recruit and retain more doctors, more patients will suffer.”

Scottish Health Secretary Angela Constance said: “I recognise oncology services are continuing to face pressure.

“We will be developing a national workforce plan with the NHS and, in the meantime, we have seen an increase in consultant oncologists and consultant radiologists in recent years.

“We are also investing up to £10.5 million per year by 2027 in chemotherapy and oncology services to ensure we build a sustainable workforce.”