The number of patients receiving cancer treatment within the target time of 62 days of first being suspected of cancer is at its all time low in Wales. Just 50.1% of patient pathways (881 out of 1,760) started their first treatment within the targeted 62 days of being suspected of cancer in January.
The Macmillan cancer charity has labelled the system as being in "crisis". They say more and more people are coming forward with cancer symptoms and the workforce is not equipped to deal with the demand. They are calling for a focus on training and recruitment to take place to relieve the pressures on "exhausted NHS staff"
New data from the Welsh Government shows that patients waiting for cancer treatment in Wales are facing increased waiting times as the NHS struggles with demand. In January, that figure hit an all time low since records began in 2020 and was 2.8 percentage points lower than December, and 3.6 lower than the January 2022. This is falling significantly short of the target that 75% of patient pathways should start treatment within 62 days, and way off a target of 80% aimed to be reached by 2026.
