The number of ‘urgent’ cancer patients seen within the target 62 days in Wales has significantly deteriorated, according to new figures published today.
In October, 81 per cent of patients (483 out of 596) ‘newly diagnosed with cancer via the Urgent Suspected Cancer route’ started definitive treatment within the time limit.
The previous month’s figure was 86 per cent.
Welsh Conservatives recently launched innovative proposals to reduce the referral to diagnosis target to 28 days by 2020, introduce a national mobile cancer treatment service and improve access to modern cancer drugs.
The five year – 100 million pounds – Cancer Patients’ Fund will also:
• Establish an annual public education campaign to raise awareness of the causes and symptoms of cancer
• Provide a follow-up appointment guarantee so that all patients are seen within a maximum of six months of the conclusion of their initial cancer treatment episode
• Appoint a Cancer Patients’ Champion to hold government and health boards to account for the delivery of national and local Cancer Delivery Plans
Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Health, Darren Millar AM, said:
“Labour’s own target has been routinely missed for seven years and to see a significant deterioration is extremely worrying.
“Communities will rightly question when performance is ever going to reach an acceptable standard.
“Delays between diagnosis and treatment create huge added worry for patients and their families and can often result in poorer outcomes.
“Labour’s record-breaking NHS budget cuts have hit the frontline hard and it’s patients and their families who are taking the brunt.
“Welsh Conservatives would provide the investment our NHS deserves. A 100 million pounds patients’ fund would ensure accountability in frontline cancer services and boosted access to treatment.”
http://gov.wales/statistics-and-research/nhs-cancer-waiting-times/?lang=en