Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Waiting Times: Cancer

Tuesday 7 March 2023 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Tim Farron questioned the adequacy of waiting times for cancer referrals, diagnosis, and treatment.
  • The response stated that over 10,000 urgent GP referrals were made per working day last year, and over 100,000 patients were diagnosed at an earlier stage.
  • Farron highlighted that in south Cumbria, 27% of cancer patients wait more than two months for their first treatment, while in north Cumbria, the figure is 44%.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Tim Farron Lib Dem Westmorland and Lonsdale
NHS
Context

The question is prompted by concerns over the adequacy of cancer referral, diagnosis, and treatment waiting times. The MP seeks an assessment on these issues.

Question

What assessment has been made of the adequacy of waiting times for cancer referrals, diagnosis and treatment?

Answer from Helen Whately

More people are coming forward to get checked for cancer. Last year, more than 10,000 urgent GP referrals were made per working day and more than 100,000 patients were diagnosed with cancer at an earlier stage, when it is easier to treat.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The adequacy of waiting times was not specifically addressed; only general statistics provided

How: Providing General Statistics

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Q2 Tim Farron Lib Dem Westmorland and Lonsdale
NHS
Context

The question is prompted by specific data showing high percentages of people waiting more than two months for their first cancer treatment in south Cumbria and north Cumbria. The MP seeks to address this issue through a campaign advocating for a £1 billion boost to increase capacity and update technology in radiotherapy.

Question

In south Cumbria, 27% of people diagnosed with cancer wait more than two months for their first treatment, and in north Cumbria that figure is 44%. Let us imagine how terrifying it is for someone to be told that they have a dangerous disease but may need to wait two months for the first intervention—people are dying needlessly. I draw her attention to the campaign run jointly by the all-party parliamentary group for radiotherapy and the Express, which seeks a £1 billion boost to increase capacity and update technology in radiotherapy. Will she meet me to specifically consider the bid for a radiotherapy satellite unit at the Westmorland General Hospital in Kendal, so that we can cut waiting times and save lives?

Answer from Helen Whately

If someone suspects that they have cancer, it is extremely worrying for them to have to wait for a diagnosis—or for the all-clear, as happens for the majority of people—or, if they have had their diagnosis, for treatment. That is why we are working hard to speed up access to cancer diagnosis and treatment, and we are looking at all the options to do that. NHS England is driving ahead to open new community diagnostic centres, 92 of which are already operational; rolling out faecal immunochemical testing for people with possible lower gastrointestinal tract cancer; and rolling out teledermatology to speed up the diagnosis of skin cancer. We are also seeing backlogs coming down.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about meeting to consider a £1 billion boost was not addressed

How: Providing General Information

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