“This is not the time to be without a cancer delivery plan” warns Plaid

Plaid Cymru says focus has to lie in early diagnosis

Plaid Cymru is warning that the Welsh Government must have a cancer delivery plan in place.

Macmillan has calculated that 3,500 people missed a cancer diagnosis between March and November 2020, which will result in more people needed treatment at a later, more complex stage.

Plaid Cymru Shadow Minister for Health, Rhun ap Iorwerth MS notes that Wales’ cancer outcomes are already amongst the worst in Europe, and that the pandemic will further negatively impact these outcomes.

Mr Iorwerth added that the Welsh Government must ensure healthcare services are equipped to treat the expected influx of cancer patients needing treatment at later stages of their illnesses.

Plaid Cymru Shadow Minister for Health, Rhun ap Iorwerth MS said,

“I have two appeals – one, to anyone who has any worry, any symptom, please please make an appointment with your GP. And two, to this Labour Government – this is not the time to be without a cancer delivery plan. Wales already has one of the worst cancer outcomes in Europe, and the impact of the pandemic has and will continue to exacerbate this.

“The Welsh Government has to ensure that healthcare services are prepared and equipped to treat the influx of cancer patients needing more complex treatment at later stages as the result of later diagnoses becomes apparent, and symptom awareness campaigns have to be stepped up now and beyond the pandemic.

“More focus has to lie in early diagnosis, and this should be a key part of a strategic cancer plan in Wales.”