Eastleigh MP calls for NHS to be made top priority at the Budget as local NHS trust misses cancer target

The NHS target for treating cancer patients following an urgent referral is for treatment to start within 62-days for 85% of patients. In the month of August, just 74.7% of patients were treated in this 62-day window meaning Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust missed the treatment target. 

It meant that 63.5 cancer patients in the past month were not treated within the 62-day standard window, with urgent treatment of cancer diagnosis vital for improving outcomes for patients.

Liz Jarvis said that the missed targets were a reflection of the previous Conservative government’s “legacy of failure” on local health services and called for the new government to make the NHS the “top priority at the Budget”.

Liberal Democrat MP for Eastleigh, Liz Jarvis said:

“Being diagnosed with cancer is one of the worst experiences someone can go through. Sadly, I have heard far too many stories from people here in Eastleigh that they simply are not getting the care they need when this happens.

“I have had the opportunity to visit local hospitals and primary care providers in the last few months. Staff have told me time and again that years of underfunding has made doing their jobs more difficult. Our local health providers deserve better. 

“I will be pushing the new government every step of the way to make sure that they rise to the challenge of clearing up this mess and rescuing local health services here in Eastleigh. That must start by making the NHS the top priority at the Budget.”