HEALTH chiefs have said a cancer waiting time target in Warrington was missed in the last quarter due to complex cases.

Latest figures revealed Warrington had dipped below the national target of 85 per cent of cancer patients beginning treatment within 62 days of a referral by a GP for a suspected cancer.

Nationally, the target was missed for the first time leading to fears lives were being put at risk but a spokesman for Warrington Clinical Commissioning Group said the target had been reached overall in 2013/2014.

He added: “In the fourth quarter of the year our performance dipped by 4 per cent, which was mainly due to the complexity of patients diagnosis.

“We have assurance from our partners (Warrington Hospital) that there are no issues with capacity or diagnostic tests.

“The patient pathways that did breach the 62 day wait have been reviewed to understand the reasons for delay; these being either patient choice or complex diagnosis.

“We do not have any concerns whatsoever with our partners performance and the safety of patients under their care in cancer services.”