Labour AM for the Vale of Clwyd, Ann Jones has hailed the publication of a report showing that Wales has seen biggest increase in cancer survival rates across the UK.
Mrs Jones said:
“This welcome news shows that the Welsh Government’s determination to drive through improvements for patients is working.
“Patients are now getting a better service from their local health boards – and as a result, more and more people are surviving cancer. Welsh Labour wants Welsh cancer care to be the very best care available and it is important we continue to drive through improvements across all performance indicators”.
The second annual report charting progress against the aims of the Welsh Labour Government’s cancer strategy shows progress in several areas of cancer care in Wales, including:
- The biggest improvement in cancer survival in the UK;
- The 31 day target for patients who were newly diagnosed with cancer not via the Urgent route has been reached consistently since July 2013;
- An increase in the uptake of the Human Papilloma Virus vaccine (HPV), with levels in 2012/13 at 86.6%;
- A 5% increase in recruitment to clinical trials;
- The completion of a cancer patient experience survey, which shows 89% of cancer patients think their care is excellent or very good.
The Welsh Government has said that it will continue to work to make improvements in all aspects of cancer care and treatment.
