NHS England has released statistics which shows that it has missed its cancer waiting time target for more than 1,000 days, with one in four cancer patients facing delays receiving treatment. Hospitals are meant to start cancer treatment within 62 days of a GP referral and were set a target of achieving this for 85% of patients. However, the last time this target was met was in December 2015.
Report into cancer waiting times
The most recent figures published for January show that only 76.2% of patients are seen on time, which is the worst performance since the records began. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have a different target of 95% of patients needing to be seen within 62 days. These nations have not met their target since 2012.
A spokesperson for the NHS in England has responded to the recent figures, confirming that winter proved to be a challenging time for NHS England due to “significant” increases in demand, adding that:
“NHS staff across the country have been working incredibly hard,”
However, various cancer charities, including Cancer Research UK and Macmillan, have advised that the failure to treat patients quickly was putting lives at risk and causing distress for many patients.
Whilst NHS England is announcing new proposals in its shake up, announced earlier this week, they do not intend to make any changes to the 62 day goal target.
Meanwhile, in respect of the A&E department, it has also been reported that there are a considerable number of patients that are not seen within 4 hours of arriving at A&E.
Comment
Cancer patients and their extended family are often already dealing with the trauma of their diagnosis, both physically and psychologically and, at a most vulnerable time, they need the reassurance that healthcare professionals are providing a safe level of duty of care. This includes an assurance that any targets set by healthcare professional associated bodies are being met and to ensure that a safe level of care is being provided to all patients.
Any delay in patients receiving treatment potentially puts lives at risk and may afford any victims of unnecessary or negligent delays in receiving treatment, eligible for bringing a claim for compensation.
How Nelsons Can Help
Our expert team of lawyers in Derby, Leicester and Nottingham are specialists in medical negligence matters and will guide you through the process of bringing a claim.
If you have been affected by any of the points raised in this blog, please contact us on 0800 024 1976 or via our online form.