Local MP calls for NHS to be top priority at the Budget as local NHS trusts miss key cancer target

Claire Young, Lib Dem MP for Thornbury & Yate, has called for the NHS to be made the top priority at the upcoming Autumn Budget after the latest NHS data has revealed that both the North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and the University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) missed their 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. In the month of August, just 69% of patients at NBT and 75.8% UHBW patients were treated in this 62-day window meaning both trusts missed the treatment target. 

It meant that 157 cancer patients in the past month were not treated within the 62-day standard window, with urgent treatment of cancer diagnosis vital for improving outcomes and survival rates for patients.

Claire Young MP 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”.

 Liberal Democrat MP for Thornbury & Yate Claire Young 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 across our area of how they 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 this means patients are going without the care that they deserve.

“I will be pushing the new government every step of the way to make sure that they clear up this mess and rescue our local health services. That must start with making the NHS the top priority at the Budget and delivering the cash injection it needs.”