News

Mixed reaction to cancer treatment times

Published

9 years ago

March 8, 2016

Very pleased: Vaughan Gething AM

THE LATEST cancer treatment figures for Wales were released last week (Feb17) and have been described as, variously, an improvement and a ‘worrying deterioration.’

The new figures published show that the Welsh NHS met the 98% target for treating cancer patients within 31 days in December 2015, with 98.9% of people starting treatment within the target time – the best performance recorded since October 2013.

Meanwhile, 86.2% of people started treatment within 62 days of being referred with urgent suspected cancer by their GP – this includes all diagnostic tests and consultations with experts. This is an improvement on November’s figure of 84.3% and is the best performance since July 2015.

However, in December 2014, 87.7% of patients referred by the Urgent Suspected Cancer (USC) route were treated within 62 days.

The improvements to cancer waiting times come after Deputy Health Minister Vaughan Gething asked each of Wales’ health boards to produce 100-day plans to improve cancer services in October 2015. In October only 81% of patients were treated within the 62 day period.

Welcoming the improvement, Vaughan Gething said: “Over the last year, more than 16,000 people in Wales have been treated for cancer in the Welsh NHS. More than 14,700 were treated within target time – 9,000 within the 31-day target.

“I’m very pleased the NHS met the 31-day target in December 2015. I expect health boards to ensure this performance continues in the months ahead and improve performance for people on the 62-day pathway.”

However, the performance of the Welsh NHS was criticised by Conservative Shadow Health Minister Darren Millar, who claimed that only 83.37% of patients referred through the USC route in the last quarter of 2015 were treated within 62 days.

Mr Millar said: “Today’s figures highlight a worrying deterioration in urgent cancer waiting times in Wales, against a target which hasn’t been met since 2008.

“Ultimately, Welsh communities have every right to question whether performance is ever going to reach an acceptable standard under Labour.

“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 frontline services hard and it is patients and their families who feel the consequences first hand.

“Welsh Conservatives would provide the investment our NHS deserves and our £100 million patients’ fund would ensure accountability in frontline cancer services and boosted access to treatment.”

The figure of 83.37% is at odds with the Welsh Government claim of 83.7%. In this case, it appears that the data provided by the Welsh NHS is correct. 1,463 out of 1,747 patients were treated within the 62 day period, which equates to 83.74%.

The target that Mr Millar refers to is 95% of USC referrals being treated within 62 days. While the Welsh NHS has failed to meet this target, it is notable that the comparative target set by the Conservative-controlled NHS in Wales is 85%.

In fact, given some of the rhetoric used by the UK Conservatives to describe the Welsh NHS, including David Cameron’s infamous claim that Offa’s Dyke is ‘the line between life and death’, it is worth comparing the data from the English NHS with its Welsh counterpart.

Over the quarter, 97.5% of Welsh patients diagnosed not through the USC route were treated within 31 days. The figures for the English NHS for October –December 2015 show that 96.8% of patients were treated within the 31 day period.

For GP USC referrals, 83.4% of patients were treated within 62 days. This, compared to the Welsh figure of 83.7% is hardly a ringing endorsement. The English NHS did outperform the Welsh NHS in October, when 81.7% of patients were treated within 62 days compared to 81% in Wales. However in November 89.4% of Welsh patients were treated within 62 days compared to 83.5% in England, and in December, the Welsh figure of 86.2% compares favourably with the English 85.1%.

These figures show two things. Firstly, claims that the NHS is underperforming as a result of Labour leadership are somewhat misleading in this instance. Secondly, delivering performances which are only slightly better than the English NHS is a worthy achievement, but not one on which much political capital can be made for Welsh Labour. The only parties really able to campaign on the basis of NHS improvements are those which have not recently been in a position to disprove this by actually holding a position of power in the UK recently – Plaid Cymru, UKIP and the Greens.

StatsWales has said that due to the relatively small numbers in the monthly statistic ‘care should be taken when interpreting percentages.’ However, this has not stopped every political party, including the Welsh Labour Government, from using the figures as they are released each month to show either a reasonable performance (Labour) or a disaster in the making (everyone else).

However, in the case of cancer treatment waiting times, it appears that the recent OECD findings, which show there is little difference between NHS service in any of the Home Nations, is borne out, with the Welsh figures following similar fluctuations to those in England, but consistently performing at a slightly higher level.

Health

New Chief Medical Officer for Wales appointed

Published

3 hours ago

January 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

PROFESSOR Isabel Oliver has been named the new Chief Medical Officer for Wales, bringing a wealth of experience to the role.

Prof. Oliver joins the Welsh Government from her position as Director General of Science and Research and Chief Scientific Officer at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). She will provide clinical leadership and offer independent professional advice to the Welsh Government on health and public health matters. Her role includes tackling health inequalities and leading efforts to improve healthcare quality and patient outcomes across Wales.

Having started her career in acute hospital medicine in the West Midlands and South West England, Prof. Oliver transitioned to public health. She previously served as Director of the National Infection Service at Public Health England (PHE) and is co-director of the National Institute for Health Research’s Health Protection Research Unit on Behavioural Science and Evaluation at the University of Bristol. She is also an honorary professor at University College London.

Cabinet Secretary’s Welcome
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Jeremy Miles, praised the appointment, saying:
“Professor Oliver brings a wealth of experience to Wales after working at a senior level in public health in the UK, and I look forward to working with her.
“I’m delighted she has joined us as we work to improve health and wellbeing, and I’d like to offer her a warm welcome to Wales.”

Excited for the Challenge
Prof. Oliver expressed her enthusiasm for the role, stating:
“It is an honour to be appointed as the Chief Medical Officer for Wales, and I am very excited to work with the dedicated health professionals and communities across Wales to create a healthier Wales and safeguard our NHS.

“Today, we face challenges from our ageing population, inequalities, and global factors such as climate change. For someone like me, with a great passion for health and wellbeing, Wales offers unique opportunities to secure major improvements in public health and health services, thanks to innovative policies and effective collaboration between sectors. It will be my privilege to serve the people of Wales to secure healthy, resilient, and prosperous communities.”

Prof. Oliver, a keen runner like her predecessor, is set to participate in the Newport Marathon later this year. She succeeds Sir Dr. Frank Atherton, who steps down at the end of January.

Contact Details:
William Davies
0300 0258 788
[email protected]

Let me know if further tweaks are needed!

Crime

Three men jailed for £620,000 cannabis production at former Llandysul school

Published

3 hours ago

January 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THREE men have been sentenced for producing cannabis worth up to £620,000 at a former school building in Llandysul.

Njazi Gjana, 27, and Ervin Gjana, 24, were each sentenced to two years and six months in prison, while Armeld Troski, 29, received a three-year and four-month prison sentence.

The operation followed a warrant executed by Dyfed-Powys Police on Friday, November 15, 2024, after reports from the public about suspicious activity at the site. Upon entry, officers discovered a large-scale and sophisticated cannabis cultivation setup spanning three floors. The building had been heavily modified to accommodate the illegal operation.

***Llandysul school burned down after the cannabis grow was discovered (Pic: Herald)***

Arrests made after pursuit

During their search of the property, officers heard movement downstairs and arrested two individuals, Njazi and Armeld, on-site. A third man, later identified as Ervin Gjana, escaped by climbing over a wire fence and fleeing into nearby fields. However, police used a drone and conducted a physical search, eventually locating Gjana on a roadside. He was soaking wet and scratched from brambles when arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis.

All three men were charged with producing a Class B drug and pleaded guilty at Swansea Crown Court on Friday, December 20, 2024.

***The police took photos after the grow was discovered (Pic: DPP)***

Police praise public for vigilance

Detective Constable Ben Nicholls said: “I’d like to thank the Llandysul community for their vigilance and proactivity in reporting suspicious activity to police.

“The information we receive from members of the community helps us build the picture of illegal activity that allows us to execute warrants such as this to ensure our area remains hostile to those who deal drugs.

“Monday’s sentencing serves as a reminder of our dedication to removing and preventing harmful substances damaging our communities, and we thank the public for the crucial role they play in this work.”

Signs of cannabis cultivation

Police encourage the public to report any concerns or suspicions about cannabis cultivation. Indicators include:

A distinctive aroma coming from a property and noises from ventilation fans.
Blacked-out windows to avoid detection.
People and vehicles arriving at odd hours.
Bright lights on continuously in seemingly vacant properties.
Excessive condensation on windows.
Unusual wiring or bypassed electricity meters.
‘Garden’ rubbish, such as plant pots, fertiliser, and chemicals.

Any information, no matter how small, could assist in tackling drug-related crime. Reports can be made via:

🖥️ | Online contact
📧 | [email protected]
💬 | Social media direct messages
📞 | Non-emergency: 101

For the deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired: text 07811 311 908.

For updates on local policing, appeals, and events, follow Lampeter, Aberaeron, and Llandysul Police on Facebook.

Community

Drop in sessions to help reshape Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service

Published

3 hours ago

January 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) is pleased to announce the launch of a series of community drop-in sessions designed to gather feedback from residents and stakeholders. This initiative aims to identify issues and challenges that may impact the delivery of the Community Risk Management Plan 2040 (CRMP 2040).

The CRMP 2040 outlines the Service’s commitment to addressing risks, threats, and challenges faced by communities. These drop-in sessions provide an opportunity for residents to help shape the future of fire and rescue services in Mid and West Wales, ensuring safety and well-being remain a priority.

Shaping the future together

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Iwan Cray said: “We believe the best way to serve our communities is by involving them in the planning process. These drop-in sessions are an opportunity for us to listen, learn, and collaborate with the people we serve.”

The drop-in sessions, details of which are available on the MAWWFRS website, offer a platform for open dialogue. Residents can share their insights, concerns, and suggestions, contributing to the development of a modern Fire and Rescue Service tailored to their needs.

A data-driven approach

The CRMP 2040 adopts a data-driven approach, focusing on prevention, protection, and response to reduce emergencies’ impact and enhance public safety. By tailoring services to community needs, MAWWFRS is committed to building safer and more resilient communities.

Get involved

Community members are encouraged to attend these sessions and provide their feedback. To thank participants, MAWWFRS is offering a chance to win a £100 Amazon voucher. To enter, simply attend a session and complete the survey.

For more information about the plan or the upcoming drop-in sessions, visit the MAWWFRS website or contact the team at [email protected].

About MAWWFRS

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service is dedicated to protecting and serving the communities of Mid and West Wales. Through prevention, protection, and response, the Service works tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents and visitors.