Seven in 10 NHS trusts in England failing to hit cancer referrals target

People with suspected cancer in England are facing a higher risk of “worrying” outcomes owing to unacceptable delays in being referred to hospital, experts have said, as figures show seven in 10 NHS trusts are failing to hit a key target.

The number of NHS trusts missing the national target for urgent cancer referrals is the highest it has been for at least three years, according to analysis of NHS data.

In England, the maximum waiting time for a hospital appointment for suspected cancer is two weeks from the day the hospital receives a referral letter from a GP. At least 93% of patients should be seen within 14 days, according to the NHS. But analysis by the PA news agency, using data from August 2019 to August 2022, shows this target is routinely being missed, putting patients at greater risk of poor outcomes.

Minesh Patel, head of policy at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “There are huge pressures even at that early stage of the cancer pathway, let alone when you get to treatment, and it is really worrying for somebody’s prognosis. If somebody starts treatment later, the more worrying the outcome could be in terms of their ability to survive their cancer, to have minimal after-effects after a treatment. This is about survival and giving people the best chance and improving their quality of life, ultimately.”

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Source: The Guardian, 26 October 2022