Sharp criticism for cancer treatment delays

Approximately 6,500 cancer treatment processes from July 2019 to June 2023 exceeded the maximum waiting time without a valid reason, as estimated by Rigsrevisionen in a new study. On this basis, the Public Accounts Committee strongly criticized the five regions of the country and the Ministry of the Interior and Health for not respecting patient rights. Mette Abildgaard, the chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee, stated that too many cancer patients are waiting too long for essential treatment and that they are not being informed about their rights. In 14% of cancer processes during the period, patients haven’t started treatment within the deadline, totaling 16,300 processes. Rigsrevisionen estimates that no valid reason for delay was present in approximately 6,500 cases and that 3,100 cases did not receive an offer for treatment at another hospital, against patient rights.