Despite claims by the Health Minister that cancer waiting time targets would be met in October, figures released today have shown that the targets have once again been missed.
In a Committee session in July the Health Minister said to Kirsty Williams, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, that “There are plans, in the case of each health board, which will result in the NHS across Wales meeting its 31-day and 62-day targets by October of this year.” However, figures released today show that only 92.4 per cent of patients newly diagnosed with cancer via the Urgent Suspected Cancer route started definitive treatment within the target time of 62 days. The Welsh Government’s target is for 95 per cent to be seen within this time.
Kirsty Williams AM, said:
“This is yet another broken promise from this Welsh Labour Government.
“It is hardly surprising that the Minister wants to scrap so many of these targets when the Welsh Labour Government continuously fails to meet them. This particular target hasn’t even been met since Carwyn Jones became First Minister. That is a disgrace.
“Despite the 62 day target still being missed, I welcome the fact that there has certainly been some improvement in the figures. NHS staff work exceptionally hard to provide patients with top quality care and I hope this improvement continues.
“Being diagnosed with cancer is a terrifying experience. It is appalling that people are being forced to wait over two months until the start of their treatment.”
