Cancer targets missed by health commissioners in Shropshire and Telford

More than 15 per cent of patients waited at least two months to start treatment following referral by their GP in the last year.

The figure fell just short of the government target stating that 85 per cent of all referrals should start treatment within two months.

The statistics have been provided by Telford & Wrekin and Shropshire’s NHS clinical commissioning groups.

Treatment

For Telford & Wrekin CCG, NHS figures show 457 patients were referred to hospital urgently by their doctors, but 73 did not start their treatment within 62 days.

For Shropshire CCG, 1,009 urgent referrals were made but 168 did not start their treatment within 62 days.

Dr Julie Davies, director of performance and delivery at Shropshire CCG, said Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, which it commissions to run the county’s two main hospitals, had managed to achieve the target.

She said the overall CCG figure was brought down as it includes patients who choose to use providers outside the county, which are not meeting the target.

She added: “There is a lot of work going on to support treatment times for cancer patients to tackle what is a national problem.

“Patient numbers are going up and here in Shropshire we have seen a five per cent increase.

"We are also seeing patients with more complex cases.

"This means their cases take longer because they may need more tests and may already be having treatment for another condition, which needs to be factored in.

“Treatment decisions are made with the patient to help them get the right care and some patients also want time to consider what their options may be.”

Shortage

She said last year was particularly hard as it was a bad winter which had an impact on appointments, and there was also a national shortage of radiologists.

Telford & Wrekin CCG said the number of patients referred via ‘a suspected cancer referral’ and seen within two weeks was above the national average and target.

Andy Downton, from the CCG, said this was also the same for patients who then go to be treated for cancer.

Both CCGs say they are working as part of the Cancer Group Network to improve cancer outcomes in Shropshire and Telford, and to find new ways of working to help patients receive the right treatment.

Across England the percentage of patients starting treatment within two months has dropped from 87.1 per cent in 2012-2013, to 82.1 per cent last year.

The operational target hasn't been hit since 2013.