Cancer waiting times slammed

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 6th Sep 2006

Following the news that some cancer sufferers are waiting more than two months to begin treatment in Wales, Welsh Liberal Democrat Health spokesperson Jenny Randerson slammed government failure to meet the needs of cancer patients.

"Official statistics out today showed that only 43% of patients diagnosed with Urological cancer began treatment within two months - and that was through the Urgent Suspected Cancer route to starting treatment.

"Cancer is a devastating disease that demands quick action. These figures mean that 123 Welsh patients with Urological cancer were kept waiting and worrying when they should have been receiving treatment. This is not good enough.

"56% of Lower Gastrointestinal patients were kept waiting for more than two months to start treatment under the same urgent route.

"The Welsh Assembly Government's aim is that nobody should wait more than two months by the end of this year. I only hope that they are able to meet their targets this time around."