IPSWICH and West Suffolk have the worst-performing hospitals in the region, according to new cancer waiting time figures being discussed today.A report being considered at a meeting of the new Strategic Health Authority in Ipswich today reveals Ipswich Hospital and West Suffolk Hospital at Bury St Edmunds only saw 78per cent of suspected cancer patients within the national standard of two weeks, in April.

IPSWICH and West Suffolk have the worst-performing hospitals in the region, according to new cancer waiting time figures being discussed today.

A report being considered at a meeting of the new Strategic Health Authority in Ipswich today reveals Ipswich Hospital and West Suffolk Hospital at Bury St Edmunds only saw 78per cent of suspected cancer patients within the national standard of two weeks, in April.

They should see 100pc of suspected cancer patients - who are referred by their GP within 24 hours – within a fortnight.

The national target has been in operation since December 2000.

The region's seven other hospitals across Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire all performed better, with Peterborough, Hinchingbrooke, Papworth and Addenbrooke's all hitting 100pc.

The new Norfolk and Norwich Hospital is hitting 84pc.

Between April 2001 and March 2002, consultants at Ipswich saw 77pc in the target time, and West Suffolk 81pc.

The report by Paul Kemp, director of finance and performance, states: "Performance varies considerably with some trusts consistently achieving 100pc, but others struggling to exceed 80pc."

Mr Kemp also has concerns about regional outpatient waiting lists.

His report added: "In April, 84 patients waited over 26 weeks for their initial outpatient appointment, and in May a further 60 patients waited over 26 weeks.

"The target is for all patients to be seen within 26 weeks. All of these patients have subsequently been seen.

"The total number of patients on the waiting list has increased by 1.2pc between March and May, compared to a planned reduction over the year of 6pc."