GWENT remains the top performing area in Wales for starting cancer treatments within 31 days for patients whose disease had not been suspected when discovered.

But Aneurin Bevan Health Board failed for the first time in two-and-a-half years in April to hit the target of starting treatment within 31 days for a minimum 98 per cent of patients whose newly diagnosed disease was not discovered through the urgent suspected cancer route.

It was a narrow miss, and at 97.8 per cent was still the best performance among Wales’ health boards.

But it was part of a set of performance figures that Wales-wide, indicate health boards are finding it increasing difficult to deliver vital treatment in a timely manner.

In April, 42 out of 883 patients across Wales did not have their treatment started inside 31 days.

Another target, that at least 95 per cent of patients referred through the urgent suspected cancer route should have their treatment started inside 62 days, is proving even more challenging.

No health board in Wales met this target during April, with one-in-five (19.5 per cent) of patients waiting 62 days or longer to begin treatment.

In Gwent in April, 87.3 per cent of patients referred through the urgent suspected cancer route began their treatment inside 62 days.

Only Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board in north Wales performed better (91.2 per cent).

But this was the lowest performance against this target in Gwent for more than twoand- a-half years.

In Gwent, head and neck, urological and breast cancers are currently proving the most difficult with which to maintain performance against targets.

Demand and capacity issues are the key problems with head and neck cancer treatment, and an action plan is being reviewed to try to solve these.

With urology, the problem is chiefly down to timely access to diagnostics, and investment is being made to improve this.

With suspected breast cancer, the use of facilities at Nevill Hall Hospital is being focused upon to help reduce waiting times.