NHS Cancer Treatment Crisis: Nearly All Trusts Miss Key 62-Day Target
New analysis of NHS England figures has exposed a severe crisis in cancer care, with nearly all NHS trusts in England failing to meet the crucial 85% target for starting treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral. The data reveals that only three out of 119 acute trusts with comparable data met or surpassed this benchmark last year, highlighting widespread delays that are putting patient lives at risk.
Alarming Disparities in Treatment Times
Significant disparities exist across the country, with some trusts treating as few as 45.4% of patients within the 62-day timeframe. In the worst cases, at least one in seven patients waited over 104 days for treatment after an urgent referral, underscoring severe bottlenecks in the system. The national 85% target has not been achieved since 2014, prompting the government to set an interim goal of 75% by March 2026. However, overall performance in England stood at just 69.1% last year, indicating a persistent shortfall.
Calls for Investment and a National Cancer Plan
Experts, including Cancer Research UK, are urgently calling for more investment in the NHS workforce and equipment to address these delays. They warn that prolonged waiting times can lead to worse health outcomes for cancer patients. In response, the NHS has acknowledged the long waits and outlined a National Cancer Plan aimed at driving improvements over the next three years. This plan focuses on enhancing diagnostic capabilities and streamlining treatment pathways.
The ongoing failure to meet targets since 2014 raises serious concerns about the sustainability of cancer services in England. As the government works towards its interim goal, stakeholders emphasize the need for immediate action to reduce waiting times and ensure timely access to life-saving treatments for all patients.
