Salisbury Foundation Trust

Cancer Waiting Times

The national cancer waiting time targets were introduced to help improve the quality of patient care, and help to ensure that cancer services are delivered to patients in a timely manner. These standards are quite complex and can be difficult to understand, but there are stright guidelines for how hospitals can deliver their services.

The standards all hospitals are required to perform against are as follows:

Two week wait standard All patients urgently referred by their GP with a suspicion of cancer should wait no longer than 14 calendar days from the date the referral is received by the hospital, to the date they are first seen in the hospital. This would either be for an outpatient consultation, or you could be sent straight for a diagnostic test.
Two week wait symptomatic breast standards All patients referred with breast symptoms (where cancer not suspected) should wait no longer than 14 calendar days from the date the referral is received by the hospital, to the date they are first seen in the hospital.
28 day faster diagnosis standard All patients referred for the investigation of suspected cancer will find out if they do or do not have a diagnosis of cancer within 28 days of referral.
31 day standard All patients with a confirmed diagnosis of cancer should expect to receive treatment within 31 days of agreeing their treatment plan with their clinician. This is the case for all patients diagnosed with a "new" cancer, as well as those who are receiving subsequent treatments.
62 day standard All patients with a confirmed diagnosis of cancer will need to start their treatment within 62 days of the referral.
62 day national screening standard The 62 day standard applies to referrals from National Screening Services (Bowel, Cervical and Breast screening). Therefore, any patients dagnosed with cancer that has been detected via the screening programme will need to start their treatment within 62 days of the screening referral.

Our staff at Salisbury District Hospital have long been well regarded for the quality of care and treatment they provide for our patients and for their innovation, commitment and professionalism. This has been recognised in a wide range of achievements and it is reflected in our award of NHS Foundation Trust status. This is afforded to hospitals that provide the highest standards of care.

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Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust, Salisbury District Hospital, Odstock Road, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP2 8BJ
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