NHS Waiting Lists

Conservative MP Jerome Mayhew asked the Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens, about the discussions she has had with the Welsh Government on NHS waiting lists. Mayhew highlighted that in England, the target for cancer patients to be treated within 62 days is 85%, while in Wales, the target is more generous at 75%, yet it has never been achieved, with the current rate being an appalling 56.7%, much worse than the equivalent figure in England. Mayhew questioned why Welsh Labour is underperforming England and asked if it is still the blueprint for Government. In response, the Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens, acknowledged that the NHS in Wales faces unique challenges and stated that the UK Government is committed to working closely with the Welsh Government to improve NHS waiting times. She noted that more people in Wales have been told that they do not have cancer than ever before, which is good news. Stevens also mentioned that performance increased against the 62-day target for treatment in June compared with the previous month, and over the past two years, the number of patients waiting longer than two years has reduced. She added that average waits for treatment remain steady. Mayhew followed up by emphasizing the importance of treating cancer early for survival rates and questioned why the Welsh Labour Government is underperforming England in this regard. There were no other interventions by other MPs in the transcript provided.