MORE than three in 10 cancer patients at the trust that runs Furness General Hospital had waited over two months for treatment in February, figures show.

As NHS performance against the two-month target hit a record low nationally, Macmillan Cancer Support said the latest statistics reveal the enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on cancer services.

NHS data has shown that at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay Trust (UHMBT), just 69.1 per cent of cancer patients started treatment within 62 days of an urgent GP referral in February. This means 28 patients had waited longer than two months in February, and the trust fell far below the 85 per cent target that was introduced over a decade ago. However, the figure was up from 66.3 per cent in January.

A year earlier, shortly before the coronavirus pandemic hit, 78.3 per cent of patients were being seen within the target time.

Across England, 69.7 per cent of patients received cancer treatment within two months of an urgent referral in February – the worst performance on record. It means the NHS target has now not been met for nearly three years. And while there were slightly more referrals for urgent cancer investigations in February compared to the previous month, Macmillan said the number of people starting treatment ‘remains lower than it would expect’.

Sara Bainbridge, the charity’s head of policy, said: “This data further illustrates the catastrophic impact of Covid-19 on cancer diagnosis and treatment. It’s vital that cancer services continue to be prioritised and that those with cancer are not forgotten.

"To address the extensive challenges that lie ahead, the NHS urgently needs a long-term, fully funded plan for its workforce, ensuring there are more dedicated staff who are able to provide the best care for cancer patients, now and in the future.”

Kate Maynard, chief operating officer at UHMBT, said: “Throughout the pandemic, we have continued to focus on providing cancer services as a priority alongside urgent or emergency care. We continue to work closely within our divisions and specialist centres to improve waiting times, from first appointment, through diagnostics and on to treatment, so that our patients can receive the level of care they need.”

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said the Government is committed to providing high-quality cancer care, with diagnosis and treatment remaining ‘a top priority’.

They said: “More than 2.5 million urgent referrals were made within waiting time targets in the past year alone and for every coronavirus patient, two cancer patients received treatment.”