‘Shocking decline’ in cancer waits at laggard trusts

Nearly half of all trusts recorded a drop in their 62-day cancer performance over the past year, official data shows, as system leaders gear up to publish new national strategy.

HSJ analysed the data following NHS England elective lead Mark Cubbon telling trusts to work with their cancer alliances to improve performance in a letter to local leaders last month. HSJ also understands the new national cancer plan is due imminently. 

Mr Cubbon praised the Royal Free London Foundation Trust for its “impressive improvements” and highlighted that the trust had recorded a 21 percentage point improvement between September 2024 and September 2025.

However, the period between November 2024 and October 2025, the latest available data, shows that 57 of 118 (48%) relevant providers saw performance on the key cancer target decline, while 19 trusts recorded double-digit percentage point slumps.

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Source: HSJ, 13 January 2026