NHS patients requiring planned inpatient or day case treatment are now covered by a 'Treatment Time Guarantee' enshrined in law.
The guarantee means that patients will have a legal right to receive treatment within a maximum of 12 weeks from when they are diagnosed and agree to the treatment.
An independent advice service has also been set up to offer support to patients across Scotland. PASS (Patients Advice and Support Service) will be delivered through local Citizen's Advice Bureaux offices and Health Board Patient Information Centres.
Health Secretary Alex Neil said, "Patients in Scotland are being treated quicker than ever - and this fast treatment will now be protected by a legal guarantee.
"We are continuing to meet our full 18 weeks from GP referral to treatment target, and now, as part of this journey, once patients are diagnosed and agree to the treatment it will start within 12 weeks."
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