Wokingham MP Clive Jones has called for the NHS to be made the top priority at the forthcoming Budget after the latest NHS data has revealed the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust missed its cancer target in August.
The NHS target for treating cancer patients following an urgent referral is for treatment to start within 62-days for 85% of patients.
The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, which includes Royal Berkshire Hospital, was unable to reach this target, with just 74.8% of such patients starting their treatment within the 62-day window.
It meant that 48 cancer patients were not treated within the 62-day standard window, with urgent treatment of cancer diagnosis vital for improving outcomes for patients.
Clive Jones said that the missed targets were a reflection of the previous Conservative government’s “.. legacy of failure” on local health services, and called for the new government to make the NHS the “top priority at the Budget”.
He said: “Being diagnosed with cancer is one of the worst experiences someone can go through.
“Sadly, I have heard far too many stories from people in Wokingham that they simply are not getting the care they need when this happens.
“The previous Conservative government’s legacy of failure on the NHS cannot be overstated. They left local health services in our area to crumble and patients without the care that they deserve.
“I will be pushing the new government every step of the way to make sure that they rise to the challenge of clearing up this mess and rescuing local health services in Wokingham.
“That must start by making the NHS the top priority at the Budget.”
