Cwm Taf Morgannwg cancer waits improving but 34% still miss 62-day target, auditors find
Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board has steadily improved cancer treatment times since March 2023, but still falls short of the Welsh target, Audit Wales has found. The report, published on 4 November, says 65.8% of patients started treatment within 62 days of a suspicion of cancer in March 2026, against a target of 75%. Auditors describe the board as clearly committed to improving cancer services, with good strategic intent, collaborative operational working and strong leadership.
62-day performance by pathway, March 2026, against 75% target
- Skin cancer
- 94.2%
- All cancers
- 65.8%
- Urological cancer
- 32.8%
Urology furthest from target
Performance varied widely by cancer type in March 2026, from 94.2% for skin cancer to 32.8% for urological cancer. Most referrals that month were for suspected skin (472), lower gastrointestinal (460) and breast (390) cancers. Most patients waiting longer than 62 days are on the urology, gynaecology and lower gastrointestinal pathways. Audit Wales names diagnostic capacity, pathology delays, rising demand and consultant shortages as the main pressures.
Out of escalation
In February 2026 the Welsh Government moved the board's cancer services back to routine arrangements, the lowest level of scrutiny. The criteria required at least 63% compliance for three months; the board recorded 65% in November 2025, 64.7% in December and 64.3% in January. Auditors point to consolidating breast services at the Snowdrop Breast Centre, merging colorectal team meetings, redesigning gynaecology services and extra clinics. Audit Wales also says a regional cellular pathology unit for south-east Wales is being planned to add capacity.
Screening and spending
The board's access to screening data is often not timely or detailed enough, the report says. Bowel Screening Wales delays were around 13 weeks in March 2026, linked to limited colonoscopy capacity. Spending on cancer services rose from £70 million in 2019-20 to £96 million in 2023-24, which Audit Wales says is £15 million more than if it had kept pace with inflation. New suspected cancer referrals rose by just 2% between 2022-23 and 2025-26.
What auditors recommend
The board has no overarching cancer strategy, and plans are not yet fully joined up. Audit Wales makes three recommendations: a cancer delivery plan to fit the board's Acute Clinical Services Plan and the national cancer strategy due in February 2027, better use of screening data with Public Health Wales, and monitoring of delivery. In its management response the board commits to complete the screening data work by 31 March 2027. The report did not review data quality.