New data analysis by the BBC has revealed that cancer waiting times for 2023 in England have fallen to the worst on record. Just 64.1% of patients started treatment within the desired 62-day timeframe, meaning that nearly 100,000 patients failed to enter life-saving care as quickly as they should have done. This marks the 11th consecutive year in which waiting times have become worse. Gemma Peters, CEO of Macmillan Cancer Support, has called the figures “shocking”. Peters has also indicated that, “Behind the figures are real lives being turned upside down”.
The BBC’s data analysis also found that waiting times for cancer treatment have worsened year on year since 2010, after the cancer target was introduced. The figures follow the announcement that the King had started treatment after his cancer diagnosis. He has been treated in a private hospital, after the cancer was spotted following treatment for an enlarged prostate at the end of last month. A spokesman for NHS England said the number of people being treated for cancer had risen rapidly over the last decade or so.
Tim Gardner, of the Health Foundation think tank, stated: “The NHS is experiencing a difficult winter amid an increase in seasonal flu and continued industrial action”. He said the drop in the waiting list was welcome and a “testament to the hard work of staff”. Gardner added that progress was slow, as waiting lists remained stubbornly high
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