Questions are being raised over Te Whatu Ora's honesty regarding health targets. 

Te Whatu Ora says they're treating 90 percent of cancer patients on time in the southern district, but letters sent out warn of delays.

These letters claim the patients should expect to wait 12 weeks for their first appointment, 8 weeks over the national target.

Cancer care advocate Melissa Vining says DHB management has confirmed Te Whatu Ora is only treating 70 percent of these patients on time. 

"What I'm seeing on the ground is patients receiving letters where they've been referred to Radiation Oncology, where they should be seen in 4 weeks, saying that they could experience a wait of up to 12 weeks."

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