Enhancing Cancer Care: Key Reforms in Waiting Times Standards and Service Focus
As of October 1, 2023, significant changes to NHS England cancer waiting times standards in the UK are set to reshape the landscape of cancer care. These revisions, agreed upon by NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), aim to streamline existing standards, emphasising efficiency and patient outcomes. This article amalgamates information from two official communications, highlighting key reforms and their impact on cancer services.
It is hoped going forward that the standards applied to detect and therefore treat cancer at an early stage will provide improved outcomes for patents.
Below are the six key factors that will come into operation on 1st October 2023
1. Background and Evolution of Standards
In 2018, responding to the evolving healthcare landscape, Prime Ministerial directives led to a comprehensive review of cancer waiting times standards by Professor Sir Steve Powis. The subsequent delay in implementation, attributed to pandemic-related service restoration efforts, sets the stage for long-overdue changes.
2. Streamlining Measures for Clarity and Efficiency
A significant shift is observed in the reduction of the existing 10 waiting times standards to three core measures for the NHS. This strategic streamlining addresses the challenges faced by healthcare trusts in managing a complex system and ensures clarity for patients navigating the cancer care pathway.
3. Farewell to the Two-Week Wait Standard
The removal of the two-week wait standard marks a departure from a long-standing practice that has remained largely unchanged for over two decades. This decision reflects a recognition of advancements in clinical practices, the rise of straight-to-test pathways, remote consultations, and the anticipated integration of artificial intelligence in cancer diagnostics.
4. Key Performance Indicators
The revamped waiting times standards focus on three pivotal measures:
– The 28-day Faster Diagnosis Standard (75%)
– One headline 62-day referral to treatment standard (85%)
– One headline 31-day decision to treat to treatment standard (96%)
These KPIs, designed to align with modern clinical practices, ensure a balance between timely diagnosis and effective treatment initiation. It is hoped these KPIs will reduce the delay in cancer diagnosis and treatment to improve the outcome of patients.
5. Performance Expectations and Forward Planning
Anticipating the future needs of cancer care, the NHS sets expectations for a gradual increase in the Faster Diagnosis Standard, rising from 75% to 80% by 2025/26. Trusts are urged to prioritise diagnostic capacity investments for cancer pathways, aligning with interim targets set for 2024/25.
6. Balancing Backlogs and Preparing for the Future
With the reduction of the 62-day backlog to approximately 21,000 patients, a renewed focus is placed on achieving the headline 62-day standard. While a national target of 70% by March 2024 is set, individual providers’ trajectories for 2024/25 will be collaboratively determined, ensuring a balanced and standardized approach.
In conclusion
These reforms herald a new era in cancer care, aligning waiting times standards with contemporary healthcare practices. The emphasis on clarity, efficiency, and performance expectations signifies a commitment to providing optimal care for cancer patients in the ever-evolving healthcare landscape.
However despite these pledges delay cancer treatment to patients will still be likely and missed opportunities may arise. Should this happen please contact us if there has been a delayed cancer diagnosis.
