43% of Southport Cancer Patients Wait Over Two Months for Treatment, Lib Dems Introduce Treatment Guarantee Policy

Local Lib Dems back treatment guarantee as new figures show that 43% of Southport cancer patients are waiting longer than two months for treatment

Latest NHS figures show that, in the last year, 310 cancer patients in Southport waited more than 62 days to start treatment after being referred. This means only 57 % of patients in the area were treated within two months, below the government target of 85%.

Southport Liberal Democrats are supporting the national Lib Dem policy for a two month cancer treatment guarantee that has been announced.

The Liberal Democrats have called for a new legal right for cancer patients to start treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral, as part of a plan to boost survival rates and improve treatment for those affected by the disease. They are proposing to invest an extra £4 billion in NHS cancer treatment over the next five years.

The Liberal Democrat plan includes new radiotherapy machines, cutting the time for new medicines to reach patients, a new cancer research law, and better support for cancer patients and their families.

The new policy builds on existing proposals from the party on health such as introducing a right to see a GP within a week and expanding NHS dentistry so people aren’t forced to pay for private dental treatment.

John Pugh, Southport Liberal Democrat Council leader, commented: "There is hardly a family in Southport whose lives have not been turned upside down at some point by cancer.

 “We have great expertise and some remarkable services in this area but the picture is uneven. The stress and uncertainty of waiting for diagnosis or treatment compounds the torment people experience.

“These proposals would put a limit to that anxiety and ensure that investment and resources are directed to the right places. 

“Cancer is a medical emergency and emergencies shouldn't ever be subject to indefinite waits.”