WELLINGTON MP Gideon Amos has called for NHS funding to be made the top priority in the forthcoming Budget.

His comments came after the latest data revealed that Somerset NHS Foundation Trust missed its target for treating cancer patients in August.

The NHS target for treating cancer patients following an urgent referral is for treatment to start within 62-days for 85 per cent of patients.

In August, just 72 per cent of Somerset patients were treated within this timeframe.

It meant that 92 cancer patients were not treated within the window, with urgent treatment of cancer diagnosis vital for improving outcomes for patients.

Mr Amos said the missed targets reflected the previous Conservative government’s “legacy of waiting times” on local health services.

He added: “Staff at our local NHS Trust work incredibly hard giving a superb standard of care. 

“But because of the legacy of longer waiting times left by the Conservative government, too many people in Taunton and Wellington are not getting treated soon enough.

“That’s on top of the substandard and leaking buildings which staff and patients are dealing with following the broken promise of the last government to rebuild the hospital. 

“Like many people, I lost a parent to cancer and, for the many living with cancer and for those who have beaten cancer, it’s one of the worst things anyone can go through. 

“Starting with the forthcoming Budget, we need to see more government support for the NHS, funded from taxing the big banks and energy companies as we set out in our election manifesto.

"The Lib Dems will be pushing hard for the Budget to really deliver for our NHS and then we will be able to give Musgrove Park Hospital the investment it so desperately needs.”

Labour’s manifesto ensured the party would focus their efforts on targeting chronic and long-term illnesses.

The party aims to achieve earlier diagnoses with the provision of diagnostic scanners with their ‘Fit for Future’ fund, allowing the NHS to catch cancer and other conditions earlier.

Earlier this month, the government announced a £118 million fund to help develop new technologies as part of the ‘Fit for Future’ campaign.