NHS Grampian could “significantly reduce” the number of people waiting too long for treatment of certain types of cancer if a new action plan is agreed.
Bosses admit improvement is needed in the time taken to treat patients with suspected cancer.
NHS Grampian’s annual operational plan, which goes before board members today, states “particular focus” is needed on colorectal and urological cancers.
In the first quarter of this year, 85% of north-east patients who waited longer than the Scottish Government’s 62-day treatment target were suspected of having either type of condition.
Board members will be asked to turn to the private Albyn Hospital in Aberdeen to overcome a screening backlog, upping use of its colonoscopy facilities.
Further scoping will be carried out at Aberdeen Health Village in Frederick Street and at Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin.
The annual plan outlines ways of having the mass of patients waiting too long for treatment for urological and colon cancers to be seen to.
Three whole days in operating theatres are to be dedicated to treating them.
There are also proposals to hire additional urology specialist.
Doctors predict the plan could leave only 12 people still waiting longer than 62 days for urological or colorectal cancer treatment by the end of this year.
The latest figures showed a waiting list of nearly 70.
Meanwhile members of the health authority’s board are also to consider plans to increase capacity at other hospitals across the country.
And further efforts to reduce urology waiting times, as well as general surgery, could mean more the longest waiting patients are sent to NHS Tayside’s Stracathro Hospital.
These plans for a five days a week service, including a mobile theatre on the site, are being laid out to reduce patients waiting more than 78 weeks.
NHS Grampian is also in talks with its Shetland counterpart about using its facilities.
The north-east backlog has, in part, been put down to the “significant staffing challenges” the health board faces.
Members will discuss the action plan today when they meet at Clan House today at 10.30am.
