Worst places for cancer care waits revealed

New analysis of NHS England figures has revealed that nearly three-quarters of services are failing to treat cancer patients quickly enough.

Hospitals are meant to start treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral by a GP in 85 per cent of cases. However, the data shows that 94 out of 131 cancer services in England failed to do that last year - compared with 36 five years ago.

Leaders at the worst performing trust, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, have claimed that there has seen a surge in demand above that which other services had experienced. The trust said it had invested in extra staff and hoped to start hitting the target during the summer after it was revealed that the organisation saw fewer than 61 per cent of patients within 62 days.

Across the entirety of England, more than 32,000 patients waited longer than 62 days for treatment to start. A total of 63 trusts have gone from hitting the target five years ago to now missing it, with Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells having fallen the furthest.

Jonathan Ashworth, Shadow Health Secretary, said: “Yet again statistics show an NHS struggling under pressure. The number of patients on hospital waiting lists increased and the 18-week target for receiving treatment has been missed again. Cancer services are still not keeping pace with demand and it’s disgraceful that suspected cancer patients aren’t being seen on time, especially as we know that early diagnosis leads to better outcomes.

“These figures are a reminder that years of tory underfunding and understaffing has left patients increasingly anxious and worried for test results, and will be forced to wait longer for vital treatment. Ministers should put aside their Tory leadership squabbles and sort out the issues in the health service.”