A REPORT released by Audit Wales has revealed that cancer care in Wales continues to struggle with significant delays in diagnosis and treatment, highlighting the need for urgent improvements. Despite increased investment in recent years, no health board has met the national target that 75% of cancer patients should begin their first treatment within 62 days since August 2020.

The report, embargoed until January 14, 2025, stresses that stronger national leadership and a sharper focus on preventative measures are critical to addressing these persistent challenges.

National targets missed

Audit Wales noted that while survival rates for cancer patients in Wales have improved, they remain poor compared to other countries. Wales has the second-highest cancer mortality rate in the UK, behind Scotland. The disparity is especially evident for individuals living in deprived areas, where outcomes are significantly worse.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, performance has stabilized between 52% and 61% of patients starting treatment within the target timeframe. For some cancers, such as lower gastrointestinal, gynaecological, and urological cancers, waiting times exceed 100 days for certain patients, underlining the urgency of the problem.

Screening and early detection

Early detection is key to improving survival rates, with screening playing a vital role. The report praised the expansion of the national bowel screening programme, which now reaches more people using a more sensitive test. However, it pointed to opportunities to increase uptake for breast and cervical cancer screenings and urged a decision on introducing a national lung screening programme.

Rising demand and staffing challenges

The demand for cancer diagnosis and treatment in Wales is growing. Between 2002 and 2021, the number of newly diagnosed cancers rose by 22%. Suspected cancer referrals have also increased, creating additional strain on the NHS. Notably, more than 84% of these referrals ultimately determine that the patients do not have cancer.

Staffing gaps and capacity limitations further compound the issue, with waiting lists for cancer services continuing to grow. Despite Welsh Government ambitions to return waiting lists to pre-pandemic levels, the report suggests this goal is unlikely without significant increases in diagnostic and treatment capacity.

Leadership and prevention

The report emphasizes the importance of clear national leadership in addressing the challenges facing cancer services in Wales. It noted weaknesses in current oversight arrangements, particularly concerning the status of the NHS Wales Cancer Improvement Plan, launched in 2023. Clarity is needed on how this plan integrates with other initiatives to drive the required improvements.

Preventative measures were also highlighted as critical. Approximately 40% of cancers in Wales are preventable, with lifestyle factors like smoking, diet, and physical inactivity contributing to risk. Tackling these factors could save lives and reduce pressure on the NHS, as these same risks also contribute to other major health conditions.

A call to action

Auditor General Adrian Crompton stressed the importance of addressing these challenges, stating:
“Despite increased investment, too many people are experiencing unacceptably long waits for cancer diagnosis and treatment. Variations in performance persist, and insufficient attention is being placed on prevention of lifestyle factors that cause cancer. National leadership and oversight must be clarified and strengthened as a matter of urgency.”

Moving forward

The Welsh Government is responsible for setting the strategic direction and holding health boards accountable for their performance. Health boards and trusts are tasked with planning and delivering services to meet national targets.

The report is a stark reminder of the work needed to ensure timely cancer care for all. The publication serves as a rallying call for coordinated action across government, health boards, and communities.

For anyone affected by the report’s findings, details of support services can be found through the Wales Cancer Alliance.

Carmarthenshire looks set to take another leading role as the location for ITV’s highly anticipated gritty drama ‘Out There’,

Produced by Buffalo Pictures and starring Martin Clunes, the programme will be aired on January 19.

The news means that Carmarthenshire is fast gaining recognition as a hub for the Celtic Noir genre of filming, and the new six-part thriller joins the many TV and film productions which have been drawn by the county’s dramatic, beguiling landscapes and attractive market towns.

It follows on from the highly acclaimed BBC’s Keeping Faith as well as The Light in the Hall/ Y Golau for Channel 4.

‘Out There’ will showcase Carmarthenshire’s natural beauty against the malice of an insidious crime wave sweeping the British countryside, led by county lines drug dealers and urban gangs that use the countryside as their field of operations.  Martin Clunes stars as farmer and single parent, Nathan Williams, who runs a farm which has been in his family for generations.

Many of the filing locations can now be visited by following Discover Carmarthenshire’s new ‘Set Jetter Trail’ which provides insider tips on how best to follow the sometimes eerie paths that many stars have taken around the county.

A SIX-MONTH-OLD baby girl has tragically died after her pram was struck by a car in a multi-storey car park in Tenby, Pembrokeshire.

Sophia Kelemen, described as “smiley and bubbly,” suffered catastrophic brain injuries in the collision on Thursday (Jan 2). Despite being airlifted to a Cardiff hospital, the injuries proved fatal.

Sophia’s family, from Greater Manchester, had been on holiday in Wales and were preparing to head home when the incident occurred.

Her father, Alex Kelemen, 27, told the BBC: “Just before we got to the car, the horror movie started.

“It’s been horrific to see our little daughter lying in that hospital bed and going through all those procedures. Everybody loved her—our friends, our family. She’s always going to live in my heart. I know she’s watching over me every day.”

Sophia’s parents now face the heartbreaking task of explaining the tragedy to their five-year-old son, Lucas.

“He’s been asking about his little sister every day,” said Mr Kelemen. “The hardest thing I’ve ever done is explain to him that God loved his sister more than we did. I told him that God gave Sophia a new pair of wings so she could fly above him and protect him.

“There are things I just don’t know how to explain to him. He’s our only child now, and everything we do is for him.”

Family’s heartbreak

Sophia’s aunt, Adriana Kelemen, recounted the devastating events to the Manchester Evening News.

“They were on a short break in Wales with family friends,” she said. “It was their last day. They’d been out, and then they went to the supermarket.

“It happened in the car park. The pram Sophia was in was destroyed.”

Support for devastated family

Fundraising efforts are now underway to support Sophia’s family. Two GoFundMe pages—one in English and one in Romanian—have been launched to cover funeral costs and repatriation expenses. The family plans to bury Sophia in Romania.

Meanwhile, Flaviu Naghi, 33, from Wigan, has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, as well as driving without a licence or insurance. He is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on February 7.

Donations to assist the family can be made via the GoFundMe pages.

Pictured:

Tragic loss: Six-month-old Sophia Kelemen, pictured with dad Alex, died after her pram was hit by a car (Pic: Dyfed-Powys Police)