Mr Morgan has slammed the Government for moving the goalposts and cutting standards for patients following news that two thirds of cancer targets will be scrapped, despite new Faster Diagnosis Standard never having been met.
Waiting times for cancer patients in England have worsened every year since the Conservatives came to power in 2010. The government is now set to cut two thirds of existing cancer waiting times standards for patients this week. The latest figures revealed that the NHS met none of its cancer targets in June 2023.
The latest figures for Portsmouth reveal that just 58% of patients urgently referred by the NHS who received cancer treatment at Portsmouth Hospitals Trust in April began treatment within two months of their referral.
The NHS states 85% of cancer patients urgently referred by a GP should start treatment within 62 days.
The Labour Party has committed to cut cancer waiting times down to safe levels. The party’s plans to deliver better cancer care include training thousands more doctors and nurses every year, providing NHS staff with up-to-date modern technology, and reforming the health service so it catches cancer earlier.
Commenting Portsmouth MP Stephen Morgan said:
“Despite the tireless work of NHS staff, waiting time targets are currently the worst on record. Once again it is patients who are paying the price for the Government’s underfunding, under resourcing and mismanagement of our NHS.
The Prime Minister’s desperate attempt to change the targets will not address the systematic challenges that face cancer treatment and care.
Labour will show the political leadership that is required to make sure targets are met and Portsmouth’s patients aren’t left with life threatening waiting times”.
Wes Streeting MP, Shadow Health Secretary said:
“The Conservatives have created a crisis in cancer care, leaving patients waiting dangerously long for a diagnosis or treatment when their cancer could be spreading.
“Instead of addressing the problem, Rishi Sunak has now cynically moved the goalposts. The Prime Minister should focus on cutting waiting times, not cutting standards for patients.
“Labour will get cancer patients diagnosed and treated on time again by training the doctors and nurses the NHS needs and reforming the service to make it fit for the future.”
Mr Morgan has been speaking up for local health services and standing up for frontline staff in Parliament through lobbying for our NHS to be properly funded, staffed, and resourced, and will continue to pay visits to local NHS services to listen to concerns.
