Legal News
Cancer treatment targets in Wales reach six-month peak (17 March 2016)
Date: 17/03/2016
New figures show that waiting times for a key cancer target in Wales have improved to the best performance in six months.
The figures for January 2016 show 86.5% of people – 492 out of 569 – newly diagnosed with cancer started treatment, following an urgent GP referral within the target time of 62 days, known as the urgent suspected cancer route.
The urgent suspected cancer route includes all diagnostic tests and consultations with specialists.
The rate is up from 86.2% in December 2015 and is the best performance since July 2015.
The data also show that three of Wales’ seven health boards achieved 90% or higher in January, including Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board with a 92.9% rate – the second consecutive month the health board has achieved more than 90%.
Aneurin Bevan University Health Board achieved a 92.6% success rate – the third consecutive month the health board has achieved more than a 90% success rate.
Hywel Dda University Health Board achieved a 90.9% success rate – the health board’s best January performance since 2012.
In addition, Abertawe Bro Morgannwg treated 114 out of 139 people within target time – the most patients treated within 62 days since June 2015. A total of 96% of people – 787 out of 820 – who were newly diagnosed with cancer started definitive treatment following diagnosis within 31 days, although not via the urgent route.
The improvements in the 62-day cancer waiting time performance comes after Deputy Health Minister Vaughan Gething asked each of Wales’ health boards in October 2015 to produce 100-day plans to improve cancer services.
After the publication of the new figures, Mr Gething said:
“Over the last 12 months, more than 16,000 people in Wales have started treatment for cancer in the Welsh NHS – with 14,926 treated within target time.
“I’m pleased to see an improvement in the number of people newly diagnosed with cancer starting treatment within the 62-day target.
“While two of Wales’ health boards are treating more than 90% of patients within target time on a consistent basis, I want every health board achieving consistently high levels of performance so people with cancer receive timely access to treatment.”
Duncan Lewis Clinical Negligence Solicitors – No win no fee Cancer Misdiagnosis Claims
Duncan Lewis clinical negligence solicitors can advise those who have suffered injury as a result of cancer misdiagnosis on how to make a no win no fee claim for compensation – including claims involving unnecessary cancer treatment or unnecessary cancer surgery.
Personal injury claims have to be made within three years of the date when cancer misdiagnosis became evident. Children can make cancer misdiagnosis claims up to the age of 21.
For expert legal advice on no win no fee Cancer Misdiagnosis Claims, call Duncan Lewis clinical negligence solicitors on 0333 772 0409.