Summary
BBC News reports that most NHS hospital trusts in England are not meeting cancer care waiting time targets. Only three out of 121 trusts are treating cancer patients within the recommended 62 days. The delays in treatment could impact patient survival rates.
Key Facts
- Only 3 out of 121 NHS trusts in England are meeting the 62-day cancer treatment target.
- Delays in treatment can lower cancer survival rates, with a 10% drop for each four-week delay.
- The English government acknowledges long waits and is working to improve NHS performance.
- Testing and care demand exceed current NHS capacity, causing significant delays.
- Frequent issues include broken equipment, lost referral letters, and last-minute appointment cancellations.
- Key targets include diagnosing or ruling out cancer in 75% of urgent cases within 28 days.
- Nearly one in four trusts missed all three key targets in the past year.
- The Royal Free NHS Trust in London struggles with old equipment and administrative problems, affecting its cancer care services.
