THE number of women with suspected breast cancer being seen within the two-week target in South Cumbria has plummeted because the service is 'on its knees', an insider has claimed.

An urgent taskforce has been launched after the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust failed to hit the target in almost half of all GP referrals made in March.

The alarming statistics reveal that in March the trust which runs Furness General Hospital only managed to see 54 per cent of women with breast cancer symptoms within two weeks of a GP referral.

Of the 187 women referred to UHMBT in March 86 were not seen within the national target of 14 days.

In the previous three months the trust hit the target in 86, 93 and 96 per cent of cases respectively.

The sudden decline in March saw UHMBT ranked lower than 110 trusts in England and Wales out of a total of 124.

Health bosses said the statistics from March are due to “difficulties with workforce and imaging capacity” and have launched an urgent investigation to find an immediate solution.

FGH breast cancer radiographer Sue Allison said the breast screening service at UHMBT is 'on its knees'.

Whistle-blower Mrs Allison, who is bringing an employment tribunal case against UHMBT, believes the bullying she claims she was subjected to is to blame.

“It is the culture and reputation of the breast unit which, for years, has meant they haven’t been able to recruit enough good, experienced radiologists, breast surgeons or advanced practice radiographers to keep the clinics within waiting times,” she said.

“Back in 2014 I was qualified, experienced and fully capable of taking on a consultant radiographer role in the unit but, because of my whistle-blowing, instead I was bullied, victimised and passed over for the role.

“They will never admit that they have caused great detriment and possible harm to the women of Morecambe Bay because they wished to destroy my career and force me out.”

A spokesperson for Healthier Lancashire and South Cumbria said: “Waiting times for women referred for suspected breast cancer across South Cumbria have risen recently due to some difficulties with workforce and imaging capacity.

“To address those concerns, senior clinicians and managers from across Lancashire and South Cumbria are working together to develop a plan to ensure that those women are seen as quickly as possible.

“The first focused meeting of those clinicians was held on Monday 10 June. The aim is to put in place practical steps that will have an impact as soon as possible, while longer term solutions are sought.

“The benefit of working together as an Integrated Care System is that organisations are able to collaborate to deal with challenges such as this across the whole of the region, rather than just focusing on individual services or organisations.”