Cancer Action Plan: annual progress report 2024-2025

1. Introduction

1.1. The Scottish Government Cancer Strategy for Scotland (2023 – 2033) is underpinned by multi-year phases of planned actions. The initial three-year Cancer Action for Scotland Plan 2023-2026 supports the strategy by determining actions to help us achieve our ambition to improve survival and provide excellent, equitably accessible care.

1.2. Cancer remains a priority for the Scottish Government. Public Health Scotland (PHS) data shows cancer survival broadly continues to improve, but not at a satisfactory rate. Our success in improving cancer survival means the number of people who have, or have had, cancer will continue to grow substantially in the coming decades. There will also be an increasing number of people with cancer due to the ageing population and Scotland’s success in reducing mortality from other diseases.

1.3. Following the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic, our priorities in the first 3-year action plan are to recover and stabilise systems and services. We have since published our ambitions for broader NHS Reform through The Health and Social Care Service Renewal Framework, Scotland’s Population Health Framework 2025-2035 and the Operational Improvement Plan. The Cancer Strategy and Action Plan continue to align with our expectations set out in these frameworks.

1.4. This second report documents progress against actions as well as the measurement of indicators and relevant data developments as of 25 July 2024. Progress is continuously monitored and reported to the Scottish Government’s Scottish Cancer Strategic Board (SCSB) on a quarterly basis. This is chaired by Dr John Harden, the Scottish Government’s National Clinical Lead for Quality and Safety.

1.5. The Scottish Government has been working with the NHS, the third sector and others to take forward the 136 actions in the plan. Midway through the first Action Plan, these are all in varied stages of progress.

1.6. It is also recognised that, in the overall Health and Social Care portfolio, there remains a significant budget gap and that there is a risk of affordability for future years. Scottish Government continues to face the most challenging financial situation since devolution, with some progress delayed due to the ongoing challenging fiscal situation.