CANCER patients in south Essex are having to wait too long to begin treatment, campaigners have claimed.

The concerns have been raised after the latest figures reveal Southend and Basildon hospitals are not meeting the national target for waiting times.

Labour analysis of NHS England cancer statistics for January and February 2018 shows that across the country, 4,501 patients have waited more than the 62 day target from diagnosis to treatment so far this year.

There is also high variation by type of cancer, with lung cancer patients the least likely to start treatment within the 62 day target.

At Southend Hospital, a specialist cancer centre, a third of people diagnosed with cancer have waited more than 62 days to begin treatment this year. National NHS targets aim for, at most, 15 per cent of people waiting over 62 days.

In January 2018, 71 per cent of patients were seen within 62 days at Southend and in February 2018 the percentage fell to just 65 per cent.

Campaigner Ashley Dalton is calling for change.

She said: “I received cancer treatment at Southend University Hospital in 2014. I waited for more than 31 days for my treatment and the delay was agonising. To wait twice as long must be terrifying.

“The Government needs to fund the NHS properly so that patients are treated in good time for the best possible outcomes.”

David Flack has been campaigning for cancer services at Southend Hospital for years.

He echoed Ms Dalton’s concerns and added: “It’s a difficulty that seems to be a nationwide problem but we suffer here from being so close to London because they struggle to attract the best staff.

“Southend Hospital has been a specialist cancer centre for years so addressing this has to be a priority for those in charge. “They shouldn’t just be aiming to meet targets but should be leading the way in cancer treatment.”

Conservative MP for Rochford and Southend James Duddridge said the decision to launch the innovative “one-stop shop” trial centre will help tackle the issue.

He said: “Southend Hospital has been identified as one of ten one-stop shop trial centres that GPs can refer patients to speed up cancer diagnoses which will help improve waiting times for cancer patients.

“We understand the importance of ensuring that we tackle procurement and other costs to get more money to the frontline.”

Clare Burns, director of operations for planned and scheduled care at Southend Hospital, said: “We have been working very closely with the regulators at NHSi who are satisfied with the progress we have been making and within the 62 days standard.

“In February we saw an increased number of cancer patients across all tumour areas, apart from urology, but are working with the hospitals who refer patients to us to allow us to identify patients earlier and help ensure they are on the treatment pathway they need to be on much earlier.”