England’s cancer treatment targets are at risk of collapse, with experts warning that nearly 10,000 more patients could miss timely care by March 2027 due to leadership failures and resource shortages. Current NHS data shows the share of patients starting treatment within 62 days of referral has slipped to 70.7% in September, falling further from the previous month, as the interim goal of 80% remains out of reach. Officials would need to treat an additional 2,850 patients monthly to hit the deadline, raising concerns over declining efficiency and strained healthcare capacity. Critics blame a lack of focus and coordination for the widening gap between ambition and delivery.
Exclusive: 2,850 more patients a month would need to be treated within 62 days to meet March 2027 goal, as experts warn of failure of leadershipNearly 10,000 more cancer patients in England will not be treated on time because the government will fail to meet its targets, amid a failure of leadership, focus and resource, experts have warned.The NHS set an interim target to treat 80% of cancer patients within 62 days of urgent referral or consultant upgrade by March 2027. But with little more than 100 days to go, the proportion of patients starting treatment on time in September was 70.7%, down from 71.9% in August, NHS figures show. Continue reading...
