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 straight guidelines for how hospitals can deliver their services.

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

28 day faster diagnosis standard

All patients referred for the investigation of suspected cancer, have breast symptoms, or have been picked up through cancer screening, should have cancer ruled out or receive a diagnosis within 28 days from receipt of their 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

The time from receiving a referral of suspecting cancer to starting treatment within 62 days of referral from any route (including GP, Screening and Upgrade from Routine or Urgent Referral).