Claire’s Campaign is pleased that the recently published cancer waiting time statistics for March 2025 show a reduction in average waiting times in Wales for the fourth month in a row. It is clear that recent investments are producing outcomes for those receiving care in Wales, with this month seeing reductions in long waits for outpatient appointments and diagnostic treatments.
However, for gynae patients, there remains a long way to go. While the Welsh Government claims we are seeing the best cancer performance since 2021, gynaecological patients are disproportionately affected with worse outcomes. The average percentage of patients receiving their treatment on time in March was 48.5%, well below the 75% target (which is due to increase to 80% in 2026).
Furthermore, the number of patients starting their first definitive treatment is the lowest since March 2024 at 66 women, albeit with better waiting times since then.
It should also be mentioned that variability between the health boards remains stark – there was a 68.7 percentage point difference between the highest and lowest performing health boards in March. Cardiff and Vale UHB treated one patient and achieved 100% by treating within the 62-day target. However, we have questions as to why the health board’s greater capacity cannot be better distributed to help meet the demand across Wales.
All health boards except Cardiff and Vale UHB and Aneurin Bevan UHB did not meet the 62-day pathway target, which clearly shows the inequity in provision from health board to health board.
We need reassurance that the slow improvement in gynae waiting times will continue to rise and result in better outcomes for women in Wales, who deserve timely diagnosis and treatment.
One year following the launch of Claire’s Campaign, we continue to call for the Welsh Government to act urgently, to ensure equitable outcomes regardless of health board, and for women’s voices and concerns to be acted upon.
For more information on performance across each health board, click here.
