Lib Dems call for cancer treatment guarantee

The Liberal Democrats have called for a new legal right for cancer patients to start treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral, as part of a plan to boost survival rates and improve treatment for those affected by the disease.

NHS figures show that 498 cancer patients in the West Hertfordshire area waited more than 62 days to start treatment. This is nearly 2 in every 5 patients, well below the government target.

The Lib Dems would invest an extra £4 billion in NHS cancer treatment over the next five years to increase the number of radiotherapy machines, recruit more cancer nurses, and speed up the approval of new cancer medicines.

Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Watford, Cllr Ian Stotesbury, said:

“Everyone knows someone whose life has been turned upside down by cancer. Patients are waiting far too long for diagnosis and for treatment and this needs to change.

“The Liberal Democrats would give cancer patients a new right to treatment within two months of an urgent referral to make sure they get the care they deserve. This will improve survival rates and help the fight against this awful illness."