We, the undersigned, call on the Scottish Parliament to introduce Sally’s Law: a new legal requirement for NHS Scotland to diagnose and treat aggressive cancers much faster, ensuring no patient is left waiting while their condition worsens.

Aggressive cancers can progress in a matter of weeks. For many families across Scotland, delays in diagnosis, imaging, pathology, and treatment mean the difference between early intervention and life‑threatening progression. These delays cause avoidable harm, emotional distress, and reduced treatment options.

Sally’s Law is named in honour of an individual whose experience reflects a wider issue affecting people across Scotland. Her story represents the fear, uncertainty, and urgency faced by anyone living with a fast‑moving cancer. This petition asks the Scottish Parliament to act so that no one else has to endure the same wait.

We ask the Scottish Parliament to introduce Sally’s Law, which would:

• Create a Rapid Aggressive Cancer Pathway within NHS Scotland
• Require diagnosis within 10 days of urgent suspicion of cancer referral
• Require treatment within 14 days of confirmed diagnosis for aggressive cancers
• Introduce mandatory escalation if an NHS board cannot meet these timescales
• Allow patients to access real‑time tracking of their referral, tests, and treatment dates
• Increase diagnostic and oncology capacity to support these standards

These measures would help ensure that people with aggressive cancers receive care that matches the urgency of their condition.

Why this matters

Behind every statistic is a person like Sally — someone who deserved faster answers, quicker treatment, and a system that recognised the seriousness of her illness. Families across Scotland face the same fear and uncertainty when delays occur. Time is critical, and every day matters.

Sally’s Law would help save lives, reduce suffering, and restore confidence in cancer care across Scotland.

We urge the Scottish Parliament to consider this proposal and take action to protect people facing aggressive cancer.