By Steve Bargeton, political editor

HEALTH MINISTER Andy Kerr pledged yesterday that by the end of 2007 no patient will have to wait more than nine weeks for scans and other key diagnostic tests.

An additional £50 million is being spent on new equipment, staff and training.

As well as new equipment, the money will be spent on training programmes for nurses and other health professionals to carry out key diagnostic tests.

The number of endoscopies carried out by specialist nurses is set to double by 2007 through service redesign and increasing the number of nurse endoscopists from 39 to 64.

“Top priority is always given to emergencies and clinically urgent cases where there should be no question of undue delay in diagnosis,” said the minister.

“But it is clear that we need significantly more capacity—both in staff and equipment—to meet the needs of the NHS.

“This investment will deliver it.”

The drive to reduce waiting times for diagnosis will be in partnership with the private sector.

A three-day-a-week diagnostic service operating in Forth Valley will be replaced by a “state-of-the-art” MRI scanner at Falkirk Royal Infirmary run in partnership with a private firm.

Mr Kerr said it would provide a service to patients five days a week and the contract would allow the scanner to be used outside normal hours by NHS Forth Valley and other health boards if needed.

The minister said he expected the £50 million investment to have a major impact on cancer treatment by offering faster diagnosis.

“We have made huge strides in improving cancer treatment in Scotland over the last four years,” he said.

“But we must ensure that we drive up standards across the country.

“At present, patients classed by clinicians as ‘routine’ can wait up to a year or more for some diagnostic tests which will determine their treatment.

“That’s simply not good enough.

“I know the worry and stress for these patients and their families certainly isn’t routine.

“This investment and the new diagnostic standards will change that.”

SNP health spokesman Shona Robison claimed yesterday’s announcement was an admission by the minister that too many patients are currently waiting a year or more for treatment on the NHS.

“The most recent figures the SNP has obtained from the Executive showed that almost 100 cancer patients had to wait more than a year for first out- patient appointment,” Ms Robison said.

“This is an unacceptable record, and so I’m glad that Andy Kerr has admitted the Executive’s failings today.

“Any organisation with a problem must first admit its problems before it can address the issues before it.

“Andy Kerr has done this with his frank admission, and this is the first step to combating this problem.

“We welcome any moves to combat growing waiting times, but the Executive must ensure that we continue to work towards meeting the needs of all NHS patients—and that means action and not words.”