Scrapped NHS cancer targets jeopardize patients

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【Summary】Plans to scrap NHS cancer targets, including the two-week wait for specialist referrals, have been criticized by health campaigners. The new proposal, called the Faster Diagnosis Standard, suggests ruling out cancer or providing a diagnosis within 28 days instead. This move to reduce the number of targets from nine to three has been supported by NHS England, but campaigners argue that it will put more lives at risk.

FutureCar Staff Aug 14, 2023 5:25 PM PT

Scrapped NHS cancer targets jeopardize patients

Health campaigners have expressed deep concern over plans to scrap most NHS cancer treatment targets, warning that it will put more lives at risk. One of the targets under scrutiny is the two-week wait for patients to see a specialist for suspected cancer following an urgent GP referral. The proposed Faster Diagnosis Standard suggests that patients in England who have been urgently referred should have cancer ruled out or receive a diagnosis within 28 days instead. Currently, the two-week wait does not specify when patients should receive test results or have a confirmed diagnosis.

A consultation on the changes, expected to be announced soon, revealed that NHS England plans to reduce the number of targets from nine to three. The organization claims that this move has been supported by leading cancer experts and aims to simplify outdated standards. However, oncologist Professor Pat Price, co-founder of the #CatchUpWithCancer campaign, has described the potential new targets as "ominous and deeply worrying." She highlighted the poor performance against the current targets and emphasized the need for increased investment in cancer treatment capacity.

Dr Tony O'Sullivan, co-chairman of Keep Our NHS Public, criticized the government's attempt to present the proposed delays as an improvement. He warned that more lives would be at risk due to these delays and pointed out that the UK is already falling behind on cancer targets. O'Sullivan emphasized the importance of investing more time and resources to meet vital targets, rather than simply changing them. He criticized the government for playing with the lives of people during their most difficult times.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer echoed the sentiment that the government is "moving the goalposts" by scrapping most NHS cancer treatment targets. This decision has raised concerns about the impact on patient care and outcomes.