One in two of us will be diagnosed with cancer in our lifetime and the earlier it is caught and treated, the better our chances of survival.

It’s no surprise then that waiting times to see a specialist doctor, have the necessary tests and start treatment are of huge national concern, especially at a time when the effect of the slow down due to the Covid-19 pandemic is beginning to be known.

So the recent news that the NHS is expected to drop several waiting time targets for cancer patients was met with dismay by some experts. Hospitals will now no longer need to ensure that a patient with suspected cancer see a consultant within two weeks. This is one of the six targets that have been dropped from a total of nine, most of which are routinely missed.

However, three crucial targets will remain:

• Diagnosing cancer within 28 days of referral
• Starting treatment within two months (62 days) of an urgent referral
• Starting treatment one month after a decision to treat

The aim is that by having fewer targets more patients will receive a diagnosis or have a suspicion of cancer ruled out sooner, by being referred straight to testing.

However, there are concerns that despite these good intentions the fact remains that targets are still being missed.

Earlier this month, the number of patients on the NHS waiting list was released hitting a record figure of 7.57 million people in England, three million higher than before the pandemic. To put that into perspective, almost 1 in 7 of the population are now waiting to receive treatment on the NHS.

Delayed medical treatment is an all too familiar feature seen by the JMW medical negligence team time and time again. JMW have helped countless patients and their families who have received a delayed diagnosis, and this has denied them life-saving treatment and precious time with their families. In many cases the negligence stemmed from delayed referrals for further investigations.

It is no secret that the NHS is overstretched and under significant pressure, with suggestions of private and third party sectors being used in an attempt to help reduce waiting lists.

Last week an article published by the BBC  saw that more than 383,000 patients have been waiting for over a year to be seen on the NHS. This includes cancer patients with only 59 per cent beginning treatment within 62 days following an urgent GP referral in June 2023.

Despite the figures, NHS England have reported a record number of tests and checks carried out and almost a record number of patients starting cancer treatment (almost 30,000), that being said, there are still some patients that are not being seen in a timely manner.

The repercussions of delayed treatment can have a knock on effect on a patient’s recovery, or in some cases, treatment can sadly come far too late. It is hoped that more can be done to alleviate waiting times and improve patient safety.