Medical negligence solicitors, Blackwater Law have reviewed data published by NHS England that reveals that just 44.4% of patients at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust were receiving treatment for cancer within the current 62-day waiting time during August 2022.
The figure is significantly below the current NHS target of 85% and a long way behind the NHS average of 61.9% for August.
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 slight improvement in care from the previous month (July), where 43.8% 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 August 2021. 59.3% of patients were treated within the time limits last year, that makes a year-on-year decrease of 28.7%.
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