MORE than 25% of cancer patients at Musgrove Park Hospital are not being seen within a 62-day waiting time target, according to new figures.

The Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust (TSFT) met the target waiting time for 74.7% of patients suspected to have cancer in the last 12 months - against a target of 82%.

The figures are 5% worse than in 2016.

In total, more than 9,000 patients at key services in the trust have been forced to wait longer than the target waiting times.

Nearly 92% of patients at the trust's accident and emergency department were seen within four hours of attending Musgrove Park Hospital.

However, 5,304 patients in the last 12 months had to wait more than the target four hours before they were discharged.

This is an improvement of 1.4% on 2016's figures, and above the national average (90.1%), but below the target amount of 95% of patients.

The waiting times for planned operations care is also well below the target.

A total of 83.6% of patients were seen within 18 weeks - the target is 92% - a drop of 1% on last year.

Meanwhile, 3,453 members of the public had to wait more than the 18 week target.

Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has been contacted for comment.