Responding to the latest cancer treatment waiting times data, Glenn Page, Macmillan Policy Manager for Wales said:
“Once again performance on cancer treatment waiting times in Wales continues to worsen and fall woefully short of where people with cancer desperately need it to be.
“We are particularly concerned about the ongoing delays for patients with gynaecological cancers, including cervical and ovarian cancer, as this month’s records show the third worse performance ever.
“Far too many people with cancer are having to wait far too long for vital treatments to begin. This is a system wide failure that is leaving vulnerable cancer patients to face anxious delays which could see their condition get worse.
“While we know that NHS staff continue to work tirelessly to provide the best possible care for patients, chronic staff shortages, long-standing delays and the height of winter being almost upon us, all mean that the worst may still be to come.
“That is why the Welsh Government must act now to shore up cancer care, and to seek ways to transform services through delivery of the commitments made in the Wales Cancer Improvement Plan. Only then will Wales’ ailing cancer services be able to meet people’s needs.
“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.”
