Diary of Delays

June 2000 - Diagnosed August 2000 - Radiotherapy, Cheltenham Hospital January 2001 - Dr Wrench concerned March 2001 - Referred to Birmingham specialists August 2001 - Case deemed urgent 19 October, 2001 - Operation due

"My feeling is that these patients should be treated with a rapid access system, " he said.

Any patient with a difficult skin cancer can be seen at the Royal Gwent clinic where the consultant is part of the team within a month.

"At that clinic we have plastic surgeons, cancer physicians and skin consultants."

"We all consult together to decide the best treatment which is then taken appropriately and quickly."

Dyfed Powys Health Authority has already launched an investigation into the lengthy delays in the treatment of Mr Jones.

Powell Jones: Surgery due next week

Earlier this week Welsh Health Minister Jane Hutt called for the inquiry into the case of Mr Jones who is now due to undergo the surgery next week.

On Friday she said that the Welsh Assembly was trying to ensure NHS funds went directly to the patients.

It was Mr Jones's GP James Wrench who referred Mr Powell to hospitals in England for care.

He said that family doctors like him need more information, and more freedom as to where to send patients for the best treatment.

In March, doctors agreed he needed a complex operation to remove part of his face within days - but Mr Jones has still not been operated on.

It has taken three months to arrive at a 19 October date for surgery and his GP has claimed a catalogue of errors and delays had worsened his patient's condition.

Mr Jones was referred to specialists at Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

Jane Hutt: Money must go patients

In August, they recommended he undergo the crucial 14-hour operation to his face within days.

But Mr Jones has been held up by an apparent lack of intensive care beds.

Mr Jones said: "I can feel it getting worse, and I'm not hearing anything week after week.

"I wonder whether it's going to be too late."