Medical negligence solicitors, Blackwater Law have reviewed data published by NHS England that reveals that just 31.36% of patients at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust were receiving treatment for cancer within the current 62-day waiting time during May 2022.
The figure is significantly below the current NHS target of 85% and a long way behind the NHS average of 62.37% for May. It means they are one of the lowest performing trusts in the country.
There are multiple cancer waiting time targets set by the NHS in England, one of which is a 62-day waiting time. This means that patients should wait no more than 62 days from the initial urgent GP referral for suspected cancer through to the first definitive treatment for the cancer. The current target by the NHS is that 85% of patients should meet this timescale.
The results show a deterioration in care from the previous month (April 2022), where 48.39% of cancer patients were receiving treatment with the 62-day waiting period.
Alarmingly, the data shows a large decrease in the percentage of patients receiving treatment within the timescale compared to May 2021. 65.68% of patients were treated within the time limits last year, that makes a year on year decrease of 69.15%.
Commenting on the figures, Jason Brady, Partner & Head of Blackwater Law said: “It is concerning to see that such a small percentage of cancer patients were being treated within the current NHS 62-day timescale. The Coronavirus pandemic may have had a part to play, however, here at Blackwater Law we unfortunately see the impact of delays on patient outcomes
Notes to editors:
Blackwater Law is a team of specialist medical negligence solicitors, primarily dealing with serious medical negligence claims across the country.
Figures mentioned for Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

%age within 62 days
Total receiving treatment
May 2021
65.68%
185
April 2022
48.39%
155
May 2022
31.36%
169