Kirsty Williams
The Welsh Liberal Democrats have called the latest set of cancer waiting times a “disgrace”, following a further reduction in the percentage of urgent suspected cancer patients being treated within the 62 day target.
New figures for May show that only 88.5% of newly-diagnosed urgent suspected cancer patients started their treatment within 62 days. This is down from 89.7% in April 2014.
The Welsh Government’s target of 95% of urgent suspected cancer patients starting treatment in the 62 day window has not been met since June 2008, six years ago.
Kirsty Williams, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said:
“The fact that the Welsh Labour Government’s cancer waiting time target hasn’t been met for 6 years now is a disgrace. Labour’s Health Minister pledged earlier this year that this target would be met, yet things are going backwards under his watch.
“Being diagnosed with cancer can be terrifying for patients and their families. It’s completely unacceptable that many are being forced to wait over two months until they start their treatment, adding to the anxiety and fear that they’ll be facing.
“I wish I could say this was the extent of the problems in our health service, but the simple fact is that the Welsh Labour Government constantly fail to deliver for Wales.
“Cancer waiting times not met in 6 years. A&E waiting time targets never met. The worst ambulance response times in the whole of the UK. Welsh Labour’s dire record on our NHS is plain for all to see. The people of Wales deserve better than Welsh Labour’s NHS.”
