While we welcome the attention given to gynaecological cancers at the Ministerial Summit back in July, it sadly doesn’t translate (within the Action and Next Steps section) into the kinds of commitments and action needed if we’re to tackle the unacceptably poor gynaecological cancer waiting times women have had to bear for years. For instance, despite holding Cardiff and Vale UHB as an example of best practice – achieving their gynaecological cancers waiting time target – there’s no commitment, resource or timetable for the other health boards to learn.
We would strongly encourage Welsh Government to monitor actions assigned to the NHS Executive to enhance women’s experiences by listening to feedback through patient outcome and experience measures. It is vital also, that women are given the opportunity to feed into the planning of new services and are able to contribute on an ongoing basis to the development and delivery of the Welsh Government’s Women’s Health Plan and the successor to the Welsh Cancer Quality Statement. Now is the time for Welsh Government and senior NHS leaders act swiftly to ensure that women with concerns about their bodies are not left to feel “unheard” by their health services.
Read the Welsh Government’s summary report of the Summit here.
