Analysis from the House of Commons Library has shown that since
took office, hundreds of
thousands of cancer patients have waited longer than NHS
standards for appointments, diagnosis and treatment.
From October 2022 to June 2023, 418,000 patients waited longer
than the targeted two weeks to have their first consultant
appointment about a suspected cancer.
In the same period, 623,000 patients were still waiting for a
diagnosis or to have cancer ruled out 28 days after an urgent
referral – a total of three in every 10 patients.
The news comes as the Conservatives are expected to announce the
scrapping of most NHS cancer targets. Further analysis by the
House of Commons Library reveals that most targets haven’t been
regularly met since before the pandemic.
The 28-day faster diagnosis standard is one of three cancer
targets set to be retained this week. The faster diagnosis
standard aims for 75 per cent of patients to receive a diagnosis
within 28 days, but has never been met since it was introduced.
Analysis also revealed that another target being retained – for
85 per cent of patients to receive treatment within 62 days of
being referred – hasn’t been met since early 2014. Figures showed
that, under , two in every five patients
have waited longer than two months to start treatment.
The NHS is underperforming on cancer targets across the board,
with no waiting time standards met in the latest figures for June
2023.
, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary,
said:
“Cancer patients are left waiting dangerously long for diagnosis
and treatment. For many, this means their treatment won’t start
until it’s too late. When it comes to cancer, delays cost lives.
“Since became Prime Minister,
hundreds of thousands of patients have been let down. Now he’s
moving the goalposts and cutting standards for patients, when he
should be cutting waiting times instead.
“Having been through treatment for kidney cancer, I know the
importance of early diagnosis and fast treatment. With Labour,
the NHS will be there for cancer patients when they need it, once
again. We will provide the staff, modern technology, and reform
needed to bring down waits to safe levels.”
Ends
Notes:
All figures from House of Commons Library analysis of NHS
data.
https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/cancer-waiting-times/
-
Target: A maximum two week wait between urgent
GP referral and first consultant appointment for 93% of
patients
Last regularly met: Early 2018
Number of patients who have waited longer since Sunak
became PM: 418,412
-
Target: Maximum 28 day wait from urgent GP
referral to diagnosis (cancer diagnosed or definitively
excluded) for 75% of patients
Last regularly met: Never yet been met since
measurement of the 28 day faster diagnosis standard began in
April 2021
Number of patients who have waited longer since Sunak
became PM: 623,676
-
Target: Maximum two month (62 day) wait
between urgent GP referral and starting cancer treatment for
85% of patients
Last regularly met: Early 2014
Number of patients who have waited longer since Sunak
became PM: 55,218
-
Target: Maximum two week wait between urgent
GP referral and first appointment for breast symptoms (where
cancer not initially suspected) for 93% of patients
Last regularly met: Late 2017
Number of patients who have waited longer since Sunak
became PM: 23,074
-
Target: Maximum one month (31 day) wait for a
first cancer treatment after a decision to treat for 96% of
patients
Last regularly met: Early 2020
Number of patients who have waited longer since Sunak
became PM: 22,210
-
Target: Maximum one month (31 day) wait for
subsequent cancer treatment after a decision to treat
(anti-cancer drugs) for 98% of patients
Last regularly met: March 2023
Number of patients who have waited longer since Sunak
became PM: 1,768
-
Target: Maximum one month (31 day) wait for
subsequent cancer treatment after a decision to treat
(radiotherapy) for 94% of patients
Last regularly met: February 2022
Number of patients who have waited longer since Sunak
became PM: 9,322
-
Target: Maximum one month (31 day) wait for
subsequent cancer treatment after a decision to treat (surgery)
for 94% of patients
Last regularly met: July 2018
Number of patients who have waited longer since Sunak
became PM: 9,219
-
Target: Maximum two month (62 day) wait from a
National Screening Service referral to a first treatment for
cancer for 90% of patients
Last regularly met: March 2018
Number of patients who have waited longer since Sunak
became PM: 5,662
-
Target: Maximum two month (62 day) wait for
first treatment following a consultant upgrade
Last regularly met: N/A (no set benchmark for
this target)
Number of patients who have waited longer since Sunak
became PM: 11,688
