Cancer waiting time target set my Government met by Mid Yorkshire Hospitals

Mid Yorkshire Hospitals Trust has met a new key Government cancer waiting time target every month since it was first introduced, figures reveal.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

But Cancer Research UK said the Government needs to invest more in the NHS and raise its target to prevent tens of thousands of people across England being "left in limbo" every month.

The Government introduced a new Faster Diagnostic Standard target last year for 75% of people on certain cancer-related referrals to receive either a diagnosis or the all-clear within 28 days.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Monthly NHS England figures show that between October and March, Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust met this target every time.

The Government introduced a new Faster Diagnostic Standard target last year for 75% of people on certain cancer-related referrals to receive either a diagnosis or the all-clear within 28 days.The Government introduced a new Faster Diagnostic Standard target last year for 75% of people on certain cancer-related referrals to receive either a diagnosis or the all-clear within 28 days.
The Government introduced a new Faster Diagnostic Standard target last year for 75% of people on certain cancer-related referrals to receive either a diagnosis or the all-clear within 28 days.

In March – the most recent data available – the Trust got back to 83.6% of its 2,673 patients within 28 days – though this was down from 85.1% in February.

Cancer Research UK says an average of 65,4000 people across England are waiting too long to find out whether or not they have cancer every month.

The 75% target has not been reached yet nationally – and fell to just 73.1% in the most recent month.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Michelle Mitchell, Cancer Research UK’s chief executive, said: “Cancer waiting targets have been missed for years – the pandemic has only made this worse.

"Where you live affects how long you will have to wait – this is bringing stress and anxiety for those waiting."

She urged people to see their GP if they notice any unusual changes to their health as cancer diagnosed at an early stage is more likely to be treated successfully, but called on the Government to do more.

Cancer Research UK says the new standard aims to produce swifter diagnoses for patients, but due to chronic shortages of specialists, the target is too low.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The charity is calling on the Government to raise the goal to 95% within its upcoming 10-year cancer plan to reduce the number of people "left in limbo" each month, as well as plan to ensure the NHS can deliver it.

The proportion of patients who received a diagnosis or had cancer ruled out within 28 days of an urgent suspected cancer referral nationally was at its lowest level in January – just 63.8%.

At Mid Yorkshire Hospitals Trust, the worst performing month was November, when 77.9% of 2,902 patients heard back.

Professor Charles Swanton, Cancer Research UK’s chief clinician, said a robust plan and sustained investment could help diagnose people quicker and earlier, and save more lives.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: “We are improving outcomes for cancer patients across England and our new 10-Year Cancer Plan will set out how we will lead Europe in cancer care."

He added that the Government's record investment in the NHS aims to cut waiting times, including delivering an extra nine million checks, scans and operations by 2025 as part of plans to tackle the Covid backlog.