In January 2024, Cancer Research UK published an article in which they reviewed the latest updates on cancer waiting times.
Worryingly, their findings show that multiple targets are being missed.
Cancer waiting times
Cancer waiting times show whether the health system is meeting targets for diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
In August 2023, the NHS announced changes in cancer waiting times standards, which came into effect at the end of last year.
The standards are:
- The faster diagnosis standard: People should have cancer ruled out or receive a diagnosis within 28 days.
- 62-day referral to treatment: People who are urgently referred following an abnormal cancer screening result, or by a GP or consultant for suspected cancer, should begin treatment within two months (62 days) of an urgent referral.
- 31-day decision to treat treatment: People with cancer should begin their treatment within a month (31 days) of deciding to treat their cancer.
Reported data – what were the findings?
December 2023 was the first month that there has been reported data on the new cancer waiting times standards mentioned above.
Unfortunately, the findings are worrying.
- Faster diagnosis standard: Target missed.
The target for this standard is 75% of people to have cancer ruled out or receive a diagnosis within 28 days.
The data shows that in November 2023, only 71.9% of people were diagnosed, or had cancer ruled out, within 28 days of an urgent referral.
- 62-day referral to treatment Standard: Target missed.
The target for this standard is 85%. However, in November 2023, only 65.2% of people in England received their diagnosis and started their first treatment within 2 months of an urgent referral.
- 31-day decision to treat standard: Target missed.
The target for this standard is 96%. In November 2023, 90.1% of people started treatment within 31 days of doctors deciding on a treatment plan.
Michelle Mitchell, Cancer Research UK’s Chief Executive said:
“Every cancer wait time target in England has been missed. Thousands of cancer patients across the country face a more anxious and uncertain time as a result. Despite the best efforts of NHS staff, many people are waiting longer than they should to be diagnosed and treated. The last time all targets for cancer waiting times were met was as far back as 2015.”
Cancer – the importance of early diagnosis
It is clear that delays in diagnosing cancer can have potentially catastrophic consequences.
Studies have estimated that a 4-week delay in cancer surgery led to a 6-8% increased risk of dying.
Testing, diagnosis, and treatment for cancer are vital. Cancer that is diagnosed at an early stage, when there is no spread and the cancer is smaller, is more likely to be treated successfully.
Clearly, prompt diagnosis, referral, and commencement of treatment lead to earlier diagnoses and thereby higher rates of survival.
Whilst this starts with patients coming forward as soon as possible when symptoms present, it also relies on medical teams referring promptly, within the standards and timescales set out, and on diagnosis and treatment getting started as soon as possible.
A late diagnosis can be the difference between life and death in cases of cancer. There is no room for delay.
Comment
It is shocking to see that the last time all targets for cancer waiting times were met was almost 9 years ago.
In the modern world, where there are continued developments and improvements in treatment options, and tools for diagnosis, it is entirely unacceptable that delays in diagnosis can continue to be such a significant stalling point in getting patients to the care and treatment they need and deserve.
The Government clearly needs to take heed of the consistent failure to meet the targets for waiting times and take action to invest in NHS cancer services. It is clear that reform of the services is needed to ensure that lives are not lost needlessly.
How can we help?
Danielle Young is a Legal Director in our Medical Negligence team, which is ranked in Tier One by the independently researched publication, The Legal 500.
If you have any questions about the subjects discussed in this article, please contact Danielle or another team member in Derby, Leicester, or Nottingham on 0800 024 1976 or via our online form.
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