By SARAH HARKER

BREAST cancer care in the north west has been boosted by Warrington Hospital, according to recent figures.

The Government's latest figures on outpatient waiting times for suspected breast cancer show that 93.3 per cent of patients in the area were seen by a specialist at Warrington Hospital within two weeks of being referred urgently by a GP.

The figures have helped the north west region to achieve the second-highest figure in the country, with 96.1 per cent of people with suspected breast cancer being seen within two weeks.

Mike Deegan, chief executive of Warrington Hospital, said: "For those with suspected cancer, waiting is a very anxious time. Nobody should have to wait more than two weeks for an urgent referral, and in Warrington we are working to ensure that nobody does."

The results, for July to September last year, show that specialists at Warrington Hospital saw 98 of 105 patients within two weeks of GP referral. The remaining seven patients were seen in less than 28 days.

Mr Deegan added: "We are working towards the Government's target of providing a maximum two-week wait for breast cancer by the end of this year.

"Having achieved this, we must not become complacent. We will work to continuously improve all the services we provide, including cancer services."

Yvette Cooper, Public Health Minister, said: "Since the introduction of the new target in April 1999, more than 118,000 patients have benefited from this high standard of care nationally.

"I am confident that over the next five years, patients will see a radical reduction in the time they have to wait for diagnosis and treatment."