Contributing to the Member’s Debate on cancer diagnosis and treatment, the Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy – Janet Finch-Saunders MS – has called on the Welsh Government to address the long-standing staff shortages within cancer and diagnostic services by introducing mechanisms for tracking progress investment for staff, equipment and infrastructure.
Mrs Finch-Saunders also made clear that devolution seems to be "unacceptably delaying cancer treatment" due to a lack of specialism in the region. NHS cancer waiting times for September 2021 show that 59% of patients received their first treatment within 62 days of being suspected of having cancer. This is well below the Cancer Pathway target of 75%.
Highlighting her calls for action, Janet said:
“Even before the pandemic, Wales was experiencing significant gaps in the workforce that diagnose and treat cancer, such as in imaging, endoscopy, non-surgical oncology and specialist nurses. These staffing gaps are resulting in concerning cases turning to my office for assistance.
“Alongside staff shortages, it is true for North Wales that the Health Board has to refer patients to England for treatment. I know from assisting a constituent that the process is not smooth, with delays being encountered because MDT meetings between BCUHB and the relevant English hospital only taking place once a week.
“We know that disruption to services also risk later stage diagnosis, making it harder to treat and worsening survival chances. As Cancer Research UK have made clear, soon Wales will be the only UK nation without a cancer strategy, which the World Health Organisation recommends all countries have.
“It is vital that the multi-year Welsh Government Budget is used as an opportunity for investment in the cancer workforce in Wales for the long-term and need better cross-border and UK wide NHS cooperation so to that North Wales residents are not disadvantaged.”
ENDS
Photo: Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS
