Welsh Conservatives have called for urgent action to improve cancer services at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board after a review by Audit Wales found that just 61% of patients started cancer treatment within 62 days last year, well below the national target of 75%.
It also found significant variation between services, with urology and gastrointestinal cancer pathways particularly underperforming.
Audit Wales said that while the Health Board has taken steps including running additional clinics, filling vacancies and changing care pathways, these measures have not addressed deeper capacity problems and overall performance has not improved.
Natasha Asghar MS, Shadow Minister for Health and Social Care, said:
“These findings will be deeply worrying for cancer patients and their families across Gwent.
“Behind every statistic is a patient waiting for potentially life-saving treatment and it is simply not good enough that only 61% of patients started treatment within 62 days last year, against a target of 75%.
“The Welsh Government and Aneurin Bevan University Health Board must set out exactly how they intend to turn this situation around, with clear milestones, proper accountability and a focus on ensuring patients receive timely diagnosis and treatment.”
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