Motion NDM7911 Darren Millar

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes the Welsh NHS COVID-19 recovery plan published at the end of the last parliamentary term.

2. Expresses concern:

a) that waiting lists numbers in Wales continue to rise, with nearly one in three patients waiting more than a year for treatment;

b) that Wales will soon be the only country in the United Kingdom without a cancer strategy.

3. Notes further concern at reports from the National Cancer Clinical Director for Wales that services will have to work at 120 to 130 per cent of previous capacity to deal with increased numbers of cancer patients.

4. Expresses disappointment that the 2021 quality statement on cancer lacks detail and only sets minimum standards for cancer services.

5. Urges the Welsh Government to:

a) urgently publish a workforce recruitment and retention plan for cancer specialists;

b) publish a full cancer strategy which will set out how Wales will tackle cancer over the next five years; and

c) support cancer patients through their treatment by, for example, introducing free dental care during radiotherapy and chemotherapy.