In May, the rate of on-time cancer diagnoses hit a new low, following a peak of 80.2% three months prior.
Data released by NHS England shows that 74.8% of patients received their cancer diagnosis on time after an urgent referral, this was a month on month decrease of nearly 2%.
Additionally, 91% of people were treated within 31 days after diagnosis (50,300) and 67.8% received their first definitive treatment within 62 days of urgent referral (18,500). Both indicators saw a drop from the previous month.
In England, Integrated Care Boards are set three cancer waiting times targets: the Faster Diagnosis Standard, 75% of people are to be diagnosed within 28 days of an urgent referral; the 31 days Decision to Treat Standard, 96% of people are to start treatment 31 days after doctors deciding a treatment plan; and the 62 day Referral to Treatment Standard, 85% of people should receive their diagnosis and have started their first definitive treatment within 62 days.
The 31 days Decision to Treat Standard was met for haematological cancer across all but one ICB, whilst the 62 day Referral to Treatment Standard was met for skin cancer across 30 Care Boards.
At Polimapper, we have visualised Cancer Waiting Times figures by Integrated Care Board in England. London areas saw particularly high performances across all standards.
The Faster Diagnosis Standard was met by 23, out of 42, Integrated Care Boards, with the NHS Frimley ICB seeing highest diagnoses rates. The North West London, North East London and South West London Care Boards saw the highest rates of people starting treatment 31 days after doctors decided a treatment plan. The 62 days standard registered a higher performance in the NHS Surrey Heartlands ICB.
Conversely, the Mid and South Essex Care Board saw one of the lowest performances across all standards. Explore statistics in your area below.
About this map
The map below shows Cancer Waiting Times figures by Integrated Care Board in England.
To explore statistics in your area double click on the map or click here to launch the full page version.
Geodata context
Organisations have shown concern with the increase in Cancer Waiting Times across England, with some calling for long-term investment in cancer treatments.
Professor Pat Price, chair at Radiotherapy UK: “[May’s] cancer waiting times show yet another missed opportunity to put a stop to dangerous treatment delays.”
“Patients should not be kept on the edge of their seats waiting for the chance to access the life-saving treatment they need. It’s an unfortunate reality that these delays have become normalised.”
“If this country is serious about bringing down wait lists and improving cancer survival, we need long-term investment in cancer treatments. In the upcoming National Cancer Plan, I strongly urge the Government to ensure there is provision to deliver world-class radiotherapy.”
Kate Seymour, head of external affairs at Macmillan Cancer Support: “Behind these delays in cancer diagnosis are thousands of people hoping for clarity, support and the chance to move forward.”
“Right now, many people are experiencing differences in care depending on who they are or where they live, which is completely unacceptable.”
“Everyone facing cancer deserves the very best care, as quickly as possible, no matter their postcode, background, or circumstances.”