The cancer waiting times figures for June show that we are still not seeing the progress that is so desperately needed. As we reach the halfway point of the reporting year, it's clear that despite limited improvement, we remain far from achieving the suspected cancer pathway target. Alarmingly, our current position is no better than it was at this time last year, or even the year before.
Even the health boards that had been making the most progress are now starting to plateau. This stagnation suggests we need to ask different and more critical questions about what can be done to drive meaningful improvements.
We call on the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care to ensure cancer remains a top priority, despite changes to Welsh Government leadership. Cancer waiting time evidence must be a critical feature informing the First Minister's ‘listening’ exercise.
We simply cannot afford to lose focus or momentum.
Behind every statistic is a person and family, anxiously waiting for a diagnosis or treatment. Our services are here to support during these difficult times – 0808 808 1010.