Three-quarters of NHS hospital trusts in England are failing to meet key cancer targets, according to the first league tables of their kind, prompting experts to declare a 'national emergency'. The tables, published by Labour, rank trusts on measures including finances, patient safety, and waiting times. Analysis by The Guardian found that 90 of 118 trusts (76%) are missing the target of ruling cancer in or out within 28 days of urgent referral in at least 80% of cases. Additionally, 86 trusts (73%) are failing to start treatment within 62 days for 75% of patients.
Cancer experts expressed alarm at the findings. Paula Chadwick, chief executive of the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, said: 'Three-quarters of NHS hospitals failing to meet cancer targets is nothing short of a national emergency. Behind every missed target is a person left waiting, a family left in limbo, and lives put at greater risk because the system simply isn’t moving fast enough.' She warned that delays in diagnosis and treatment cost lives and called for immediate government and NHS action.
Helen Dickens of Breast Cancer Now described the figures as 'devastating', while Susanna Daniels of Melanoma Focus said delays could significantly affect outcomes for melanoma patients. Alfie Bailey-Bearfield, chair of the Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce, noted that for less survivable cancers, 'time is absolutely critical', with 90,000 people diagnosed annually and a five-year survival rate of just 16%.
Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust ranked worst on the 62-day treatment target, with only 42.2% of patients starting treatment within two months, and second worst on the 28-day diagnosis target (59.2%). Chief executive Matthew Hopkins acknowledged: 'Our patients deserve better,' and said the trust is increasing diagnostic tests, outpatient clinics, and cancer surgery. Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust was worst on 28-day diagnosis (57.5%) and third worst on 62-day treatment (49.3%). A spokesperson said they were 'disappointed' and must improve.
Top performers included Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust on 62-day treatment (87.3%) and Bolton NHS Foundation Trust on 28-day diagnosis (88.6%). Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the league tables would pinpoint where urgent support is needed to end the crisis.
