CONCERNS have risen as new statistics from the Welsh NHS report a disconcerting deterioration in cancer service waits. In June, performance declined, with only 53.4% of patients meeting the 62-day wait target, a minor yet significant decrease from 54.1% the preceding month. This marks the second lowest figure in recorded history.

Russell George MS, the Welsh Conservative Shadow Health Minister, vocalised his concerns, saying, “Despite most parts of the UK having made great strides in curbing 2-year wait periods, the progress in Wales remains disturbingly slow. The figures are even more alarming considering the overall decline in performance across the board in our Labour-governed Welsh NHS.”

“The drop in visitors to emergency departments was anticipated to improve our statistics, but it’s disheartening to witness the 4-hour and 12-hour target waits for A&E departments growing worse,” he added, pointing to further issues within the healthcare system.

The Shadow Minister also expressed disappointment at Labour’s fiscal choices, stating, “With a looming reduction in the health budget, slated for the second time in a single year under the Labour administration, we fear the healthcare scenario will only deteriorate.”

George further advocated for urgent action, stating, “For years, the Welsh Conservatives have championed a swifter implementation of surgical hubs and diagnostic centres to address the backlog, taking a leaf out of Rishi Sunak’s strategy to strengthen the workforce. It’s high time we put the health budget on top of our priority list, rather than frittering away public money on 20mph zones and increasing the political entourage in Cardiff Bay.”

In the backdrop of these statements, the total number of patients waiting for treatment in the Welsh NHS has witnessed a surge. June’s figures stood at 754,275, marking an increase from May’s 748,395.

Responding to the latest NHS performance statistics in Wales, director of the Welsh NHS Confederation Darren Hughes said:

“Despite serious operational and financial challenges, NHS leaders and staff across the NHS continue to pull out all the stops to care for patients.

“While in June and July there was a slight decrease in the number of people attending emergency departments compared to the previous month, there was an increase in the number of people calling 111 helpline service, the second highest answered since May 2022, and more people starting their treatment for cancer services.

“However, NHS leaders will be disappointed that there is a slight increase to the number of patients on waiting lists, the second highest on record. We therefore welcome the recently published three-year strategy and action plan to transform planned care, with the emphasis on providing support and information to people who have been referred for treatment.

“It is vital that we continue to engage with the public to empower them to better self-manage their condition and support positive outcomes for both their treatment and also their recovery.

“With demand across the health and care system increasing and NHS leaders having to make difficult decisions about spending priorities, now is the time for an open and honest conversation with the public about what the future health and care service looks like. This must concentrate on creating an NHS which empowers and enables populations to live healthier lives, and which consequently benefits from improved public health. It must centre on increased care in the community and prevention.

“It is for the population and all sectors across Wales to ask what they can do to support the health and wellbeing of people now and in the future. With the demand on health and care services increasing, change must happen, it’s simply not an option to stay as we are.”

FAILING PATIENTS

Macmillan Cancer Support has warned that Wales’ cancer care system is failing patients, as performance against targets falls to the second lowest on record.

The charity says that data published today for June shows that only 53.4% of people with cancer started their treatment on time – leaving over 870 people to face delays in their treatment during just one month alone.

Macmillan is also warning that people with certain forms of cancer are not receiving equal access to timely treatment, and that cancer treatment waiting times performance for those cancers remains worryingly low.

The latest data shows that as few as 1 in 4 people with gynaecological cancer received their treatment on time during June – with nearly three quarters of people affected being left to face anxious delays in their care.

Glenn Page, Macmillan Policy Manager for Wales said: “Today’s figures reveal a system that is failing people diagnosed with cancer, and the Welsh Government must take urgent action to ensure people can get the treatment and support they need without delay.  

“Timely treatment is needed to ensure people have the best possible outcomes. Right now, only 53% of people with cancer – only 1 in 2 – are being offered that chance in Wales.

“Month after month, people being left in limbo as they wait for vital cancer tests and treatment will be asking “what are we waiting for?”  We are calling on the Welsh Government to take urgent action now to reduce waiting times.

“Macmillan continues to do everything we can to help, and we are here for anyone with cancer and their loved ones. For advice, information or a chat, people can call us free on 0808 808 0000 or visit macmillan.org.uk”

Macmillan recently launched its ‘What are we waiting for?’ campaign to speak up for people affected by treatment delays, by calling on all governments in the UK to take urgent action to reduce cancer treatment waiting times.