Sarah Christie, Policy and Public Affairs Manager for Macmillan Cancer Support says:
“The First Minister said her first priority was to cut NHS waiting times and has promised to list who will be delivering what and when. Over eighteen months ago commitments were also made to improve cancer care in the Cancer Improvement Plan for NHS Wales.
“Despite the announcement today of funding to reduce the longest waiting times, specific plans to reduce cancer waiting times were noticeably absent. We are still waiting for the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Jeremy Miles, to clearly lay out how he will tackle the completely unacceptable delays in Wales’ cancer services to ensure everyone affected by cancer, no matter who they are or where they live, has access to the support they need.”
“This is simply not good enough and requires urgent action. There are real people behind the figures released today and far too many continue to suffer agonising long waits for the cancer diagnosis and the essential treatment they need.
“If you or someone you love is affected by cancer, we’re here, whatever you need to ask. Call Macmillan’s free support line on 0808 808 00 00, open every day 8am to 8pm or visit our website at www.macmillan.org.uk. “
Fact box
- Macmillan’s analysis of today’s official NHS data shows that performance against the national cancer waiting times target in Wales improved slightly in August, however it was still worse than in August of the previous year[i]
- With 2024 currently on track to be the worst year on record, the NHS in Wales is still struggling under enormous pressure[ii]
- The data also shows that between January and August 2024, 6,400 people with cancer in Wales waited more than two months to start treatment following an urgent referral[iii]
- In August alone, nearly 750 people with cancer in Wales waited more than 62 days to start treatment from first being suspected of having cancer — this was over 40% of all those who started treatment in that month[iv]
- Other recent data from Macmillan shows that concerns about long waits and delays have hit new highs among people with cancer in the UK. Two in three people currently having cancer treatment in the UK (66%) are worried about general pressures on the NHS affecting their chances of survival[v], the highest level since Macmillan started tracking this issue in November 2022, and an increase from 59% in January this year during peak winter pressures for the NHS[vi]
- The national cancer waiting times target in Wales has never been met since first being introduced, and an interim recovery target set by the Welsh Government has also been missed[vii]
- For some cancer types, performance remains particularly concerning. For example, in August 2024 only 40% of people with urological cancer started their treatment within 62 days from first being suspected of having cancer, with a similar figure for gynaecological cancer (35%%)[viii]
- Recent Macmillan analysis shows that survival rates for at least two common types of cancer in Wales (colon and rectal cancer in women) are only just now reaching the levels that Sweden and Norway were already achieving in the early 2000s[ix]
- Macmillan’s other new figures also show 70% of people with cancer in the UK are calling for the NHS to reduce long waiting times as a priority – the highest figure since Macmillan started tracking this in March last year[x]
We will move mountains to help people with cancer live life as fully as they can. We’ll do whatever it takes.
For information, support or just someone to talk to, call 0808 808 00 00 or visit macmillan.org.uk
To donate, volunteer or raise money call 0300 100 200 or visit macmillan.org.uk
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Macmillan Cancer Support’s response to CWT Wales released today
Progress in cancer waiting times in Wales is still woefully inadequate – Macmillan’s response to latest CWT figures
Macmillan Cancer Support – response to latest NHS Wales Cancer Waiting Times figures
