According to the latest stats published today by Wales’ NHS, the Hywel Dda University Health Board (HDUHB) has the worst cancer waiting times in all of Wales.
48.0% of cancer patients in the HDUHB region started their first definitive treatment for the disease, within the 62-day-target – in comparison to 68.6% of patients in April 2021.
Other Health Boards fair slightly better, with Betsi Cadwaladr UHB seeing 68.2% of patients starting treatment within 62 days of cancer first being suspected.
Although, no single Health Board in Wales has met the Welsh Government’s 75% target.
Speaking about the increase in cancer waiting times, local Senedd Member for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, Samuel Kurtz MS, said:
“This is a seriously concerning development – it’s clear to me that robust and urgent action must be at the forefront of Hywel Dda’s strategy to combat this substantial rise in cancer waiting times.
“Access to cancer treatment is vital; the sooner it’s identified, the sooner it can be successfully treated. That’s why it’s pivotal we get to grips with this situation.
“Our fantastic NHS staff are working around the clock, the Welsh Government ought to step up and publish an urgent cancer strategy which sets out how our hospitals can clamp down on these treatment pressures – something which we Welsh Conservatives have been calling for.”
