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NHS misses urgent cancer therapy targets for whole year | NHS misses urgent cancer therapy targets for whole year |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The NHS in England has missed a key cancer target for the whole of 2014, official figures show. | The NHS in England has missed a key cancer target for the whole of 2014, official figures show. |
At least 85% of patients should start treatment within 62 days of being referred by GPs. | At least 85% of patients should start treatment within 62 days of being referred by GPs. |
Between October and December, just 83.8% were treated within time, and this was the fourth successive quarter that the target was missed. | Between October and December, just 83.8% were treated within time, and this was the fourth successive quarter that the target was missed. |
NHS officials say they are scrutinising the figures to unearth any problems. | NHS officials say they are scrutinising the figures to unearth any problems. |
Early diagnosis and treatment are vital for improving the odds of recovering from cancer. | Early diagnosis and treatment are vital for improving the odds of recovering from cancer. |
The NHS has a series of targets to ensure this happens. | The NHS has a series of targets to ensure this happens. |
'Closely scrutinising' | 'Closely scrutinising' |
Some are being met, including the "two-week wait target" for getting 93% of patients to see a specialist within a fortnight of a GP referral. | Some are being met, including the "two-week wait target" for getting 93% of patients to see a specialist within a fortnight of a GP referral. |
And the latest figures show some 44,000 additional patients were seen within this time compared to the same quarter last year. | And the latest figures show some 44,000 additional patients were seen within this time compared to the same quarter last year. |
But in terms of treatment, for the past four quarters respectively from January to December 2014, just 83.8%, 83.5%, 84.1% and 84.2% of patients had their first therapy within 62 days of being referred by GPs. | But in terms of treatment, for the past four quarters respectively from January to December 2014, just 83.8%, 83.5%, 84.1% and 84.2% of patients had their first therapy within 62 days of being referred by GPs. |
Breakdowns for individual cancers in the previous quarter (October-December 2014) show the proportion of patients treated on time: | Breakdowns for individual cancers in the previous quarter (October-December 2014) show the proportion of patients treated on time: |
Sean Duffy, NHS England's national clinical director for cancer, said: "Swift diagnosis of cancer is key. Latest figures show that, compared to the same quarter last year, over 44,000 more people saw a specialist within two weeks of visiting their GP, which is good news for catching cancer early. | Sean Duffy, NHS England's national clinical director for cancer, said: "Swift diagnosis of cancer is key. Latest figures show that, compared to the same quarter last year, over 44,000 more people saw a specialist within two weeks of visiting their GP, which is good news for catching cancer early. |
"But it's crucial we focus on maintaining waiting time standards for treatment as demand increases, so we are closely scrutinising these figures to pinpoint any issues on the ground. | "But it's crucial we focus on maintaining waiting time standards for treatment as demand increases, so we are closely scrutinising these figures to pinpoint any issues on the ground. |
"We have also created an independent taskforce to develop a plan to improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment over the next five years, with the aim of saving thousands more lives." | "We have also created an independent taskforce to develop a plan to improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment over the next five years, with the aim of saving thousands more lives." |
Andy Burnham MP, Labour's shadow health secretary, said: "In the last year, thousands of cancer patients have waited too long for treatment to start and, in some cases, their chances of survival have been harmed. | |
"When it comes to cancer, speed is everything. Labour is committed to cancer tests and results within one week to help end this scandal." |