NHS BORDERS has exceeded the national target for cancer treatment waiting times.

The health board saw 100 per cent of cancer patients who's cases were deemed to be urgent within the Government prescribed timeframe of 62 days. The national target for such cases was 95 per cent.

A report published by Scotland's Chief Statistician earlier this week showed national cancer waiting times between July and September of last year, and revealed that NHS Borders had the highest proportion of patients treated within the 62 day period of any health board.

Across Scotland the proportion of patients who were treated within the target was 96 per cent, up from just 84.5 per cent in 2007.

The only health boards who failed to meet the targets were Fife and the Western Isles, although NHS Grampian was also singled out after a urilogocal cancer patient had to wait 185 days for treatment.

Ralph Roberts, Director of Integrated Health Strategy for NHS Borders welcomed the result, saying: 'We are committed to delivering first class health care and fast, responsive services that minimise anxiety for patients and their families.

"This achievement reflects our commitment and we are proud of the hard work of all our staff in delivering this result."