GWENT is currently leading the way in hitting a key target for starting patients’ cancer treatments – but there are worries that too big a gap exists in performance between different parts of Wales.

The Argus reported last week that Aneurin Bevan Health Board has improved its performance recently for beginning treatments within 62 days for patients referred with suspected cancer.

New Welsh Government figures show that for the latest quarter – January-March 2012 – the health board was the only one of six in Wales to meet the target of starting treatments for at least 95 per cent of such patients within 62 days.

The rate for Gwent for that quarter was 96 per cent, ahead of Cardiff and Vale with 94 per cent. But the remaining four health boards recorded rates of 84-90 per cent.

In numbers terms, ten out of 224 patients in Gwent referred during the quarter with suspected cancer were not started on treatment inside 62 days. But in the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg Health Board area, which includes Swansea, 43 out of 262 such patients were not started on treatment inside 62 days.

Gwent hospitals have performed well against the 62- day target compared to others in Wales in recent years, without consistently achieving the 95 per cent standard, but the January-March figures are particularly pleasing for the health board. Encouraging too, is the fact that performance against the 62-day target was 98 per cent in both March and April.

Health minister Lesley Griffiths has called for urgent action to close the gap in performance on cancer treatments, but the variations between health boards – and in performance for different types of cancer – have been criticised by opposition parties.

The Liberal Democrats have led the charge, with leader in Wales Kirsty Williams AM saying patients should start their treatments as soon as possible, irrespective of where they live or what type of cancer they have.