The Welsh Government has published its vision of what cancer care should look like in Wales
The plan sets out the Welsh Government’s expectations of the NHS, working together with local government, the third sector and the public, with regard to what improvements should be delivered by 2016.
Commitments in the plan include:
- A requirement on every Health Board will to produce its own cancer delivery plan;
- Asking patients to rate their experience of the care they receive and acting on their feedback to improve the quality of care;
- Reducing the gap in the incidence of cancer between the most and least deprived communities;
- Publishing an annual report on the effectiveness of cancer services.
Health Minister Lesley Griffiths said: “Cancer remains a top priority for the Welsh Government. Although Wales has seen some of the most significant improvements in cancer survival in the UK during the last few years, the incidence of cancer is increasing.
“Lifestyle choices have a huge impact on cancer rates and it is vital we bring down levels of obesity, smoking, drug and alcohol abuse across Wales. Local Health Boards need to support people to reduce their risk of developing cancer, and individuals must also play their part in looking after their own health.
“These proposals are a step toward the commitment in our five year vision for the NHS in Wales, Together for Health, that within 12 months we will issue delivery plans for major services including cancer, specifying the next steps in service improvement.
“I have made it clear health services need to be safe, sustainable and provide the highest quality of care. That’s why it makes sense to centralise, where clinically justified, certain specialist services for more complex care that require a minimum number of patients on fewer sites to deliver the highest standards of care.
“The right local hospital and community services will be put in place to enable patients to continue their recovery closer to home.
“The document published today sets out my expectations of the NHS in Wales in tackling cancer up to 2016. It puts a clear and serious responsibility on Local Health Boards to promote and protect the health of people in Wales and plan and deliver high quality modern cancer services.”