From 1 October 2023, the standards measuring waiting times for cancer diagnosis and treatment are being modernised and simplified. The changes have been developed by clinical experts and are supported by leading cancer charities.
The NHS is moving from the 10 different standards to three:
- Faster Diagnosis Standard: a diagnosis or ruling out of cancer within 28 days of referral (set at 75%)
- 31-day treatment standard: commence treatment within 31 days of a decision to treat for all cancer patients (set at 96%)
- 62-day treatment standard: commence treatment within 62 days of being referred or consultant upgrade (set at 85%)
The main changes are:
- Removal of the Two Week Wait standard requiring a first appointment within two weeks
- Combining together the first and subsequent treatment 31-day standards to create one headline performance standard.
- Combining together the Urgent Suspected Cancer GP referral, Urgent Screening and Consultant Upgrade 62-day standards to create one headline performance standard for all patients.
Detailed information can be found below:
Cancer Waiting Time Standards :: Surrey and Sussex Cancer Alliance
Cancer Research UK explanation video which talks about the Faster Diagnosis Standard. Cancer Research UK also has information about cancer waiting times and what it means for patients here: CRUK Cancer Waiting Times
Patient information letter can be found in multiple languages here:
Patient information for urgent suspected cancer referrals :: Surrey and Sussex Cancer Alliance