Staff shortages blamed as not a single trust meets cancer targets

A LACK of healthcare staff is leading to longer cancer waiting times, a charity has warned.

New figures show that between April and June this year, just 68.6% of patients with an urgent GP referral for suspected cancer started treatment within 62 days.

The target of 95% was missed by all trusts during this period.

The target, which was set in 2009, has never been met.

Cancer Research UK said that early detection was essential to boost survival chances.

Margaret Carr from the charity called for a cancer strategy to address staff shortages.

In June only 70.4% of patients started treatment within 62 days following their urgent referral.

This was an increase on the

Fears: Margaret Carr

67.3% figure from May this year, and 69.1% in June 2017.

Of the 107 patients waiting more than 62 days for treatment in June this year, over a third were diagnosed with the disease.

The target (98%) was also missed for the 31-day waiting period.

In June 95.1% of patients were treated within 31 days compared with 93.2% in May and 94.6% during June 2017.

Of the 40 patients waiting more than 31 days in June, 32.5% were diagnosed with cancer.

The target for urgent breast cancer referrals was also missed.

In June 94.1% of patients were first seen within 14 days, compared with 96.3% in May and 85.4% during June 2017

Trusts aim to have 100% of urgent breast cancer referrals seen within 14 days.

Mrs Carr said that staff were trying their best but that targets continued to be missed.

She added: “To diagnose cancer earlier and give patients a better chance at survival, we need to carry out more tests and this requires more staff.

“A cancer strategy which includes action to assess and address staff shortages is desperately needed in Northern Ireland if patients are to be seen more quickly.”