The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety today published the Northern Ireland Cancer Waiting Times Statistics Release for January, February and March 2015.
The release gives details of the waiting times for patients accessing cancer services at hospitals in Northern Ireland during January, February and March 2015.
Key facts and figures for NI Cancer Waiting Times for the months of January, February and March 2015 are listed below:
Latest position (March 2015)
- In March 2015, 267 patients commenced treatment for cancer following an urgent referral for suspect cancer. Of these, almost three quarters (72.3%, 193 out of 267) commenced their first treatment within 62 days.
- In March 2015, 739 patients commenced treatment for cancer in Northern Ireland, following a decision to treat being taken. Of these 739 patients, 716 (96.9%) commenced their first treatment within 31 days of the decision to treat being taken.
- During March 2015, 1,136 patients were seen by a breast cancer specialist for a first assessment following an urgent referral for suspect breast cancer. Of these 934 (82.2%) were seen within 14 days.
Latest Quarter (January – March 2015)
- The percentage of patients first treated for cancer within 62 days following an urgent GP referral for suspect cancer increased from 71.8% in January 2015 (227 out of 316 patients) to 72.3% in March 2015 (193 out of 267 patients).
- The percentage of patients first treated within 31 days following a decision to treat increased from 94.0% in January 2015 (691 of 735 patients) to 96.9% in March 2015 (716 of 739 patients).
- There was a decrease in the percentage of patients first seen within 14 days following an urgent referral for suspect breast cancer, from 94.4% in January 2015 (986 out of 1,045 patients) to 82.2% in March 2015 (934 of the 1,136 patients).
Position compared to same month last year (March 2014 to March 2015)
- When compared to the same month last year, the percentage of patients treated within 62 days following an urgent referral was lower in March 2015, with 193 of the 267 patients (72.3%) commencing treatment within 62 days, compared with 219 of the 277 patients (79.1%) commencing treatment within 62 days in March 2014.
- Comparing March 2014 to March 2015, the percentage of patients commencing treatment within 31 days following a decision to treat was lower in March 2015, with 716 of the 739 patients (96.9%) treated within 31 days, compared with 673 of the 691 patients (97.4%) treated within 31 days in March 2014.
- The percentage of patients first seen within 14 days following an urgent referral for suspect breast cancer increased by 29.4 percentage points from 52.8% in March 2014 (454 out of 860), to 82.2% in March 2015 (934 out of 1,136).
Notes to editors:
- Northern Ireland waiting time statistics: cancer waiting times June 2014 to March 2015
- About the data.
The sources for the data contained in this release are the Cancer Patient Pathway System (CaPPS) and the Departmental Return SDR 2.
Figures also include all patients living outside Northern Ireland and all privately funded patients seen or treated in Health and Social Care hospitals in Northern Ireland.
Data include all returns and amendments received from HSC Trusts up to 8 June 2015.
- Ministerial Target for Cancer Waiting Times. The 2014/15 Ministerial target has three components associated with cancer waiting times:
The Ministerial Target on waiting times for treatment following an urgent referral for suspect cancer states that, ‘from April 2014, 95% of patients urgently referred with a suspect cancer should begin their treatment within 62 days’.
The Ministerial Target on waiting times for cancer treatment following a decision to treat states that, ‘from April 2014, at least 98% of patients diagnosed with cancer should receive their first definitive treatment within 31 days of a decision to treat’.
The Ministerial Target on waiting times for a first assessment with a breast cancer specialist states that, ‘from April 2014, all urgent breast cancer referrals should be seen within 14 days’.
- Definition of Waiting Times for Treatment following an urgent referral for Suspect Cancer.
These data relate to patients who received a first definitive treatment for cancer (having been given an ‘International Classification of Diseases 10’ (ICD 10) diagnosis) during each of the three months covered in the publication, following an urgent referral for suspect cancer from a General Practitioner or a routine GP referral that has subsequently been reclassified as urgent by a cancer specialist. Data for all cancers are included with the exception of basal cell carcinoma. Referrals from sources other than a GP, routine referrals and patients who have not been given an ICD 10 diagnosis are excluded.
The completed waiting time is measured from the date an initial urgent GP referral for suspect cancer is received by the Provider HSC Trust and ends on the date the patient receives their first treatment for cancer. Adjustments are made to the completed waiting time in the event of a patient cancelling or self deferring treatment or as a result of suspension for either medical or social reasons.
- Definition of Waiting Times for Treatment following a Decision to Treat for cancer.
These data relate to all patients who received a first definitive treatment for cancer (having been given an ICD 10 diagnosis) during each of the three months covered in the publication, irrespective of their source or type of referral. Data include treatment for all cancers, with the exception of basal cell carcinoma. Patients that have not been given an ICD 10 diagnosis are excluded.
The completed waiting time is measured from the date a decision is taken to treat a patient for cancer and ends on the date that the patient receives their first definitive treatment for cancer. The decision to treat is the date on which the patient and the clinician agree the planned treatment. Adjustments are made to the completed waiting time in the event of a patient cancelling or self deferring treatment or as a result of suspension for either medical or social reasons.
- Definition of Waiting Times for a First Assessment with a Breast Cancer Specialist.
These data relate to urgent referrals (excluding those that have been reclassified as routine by the breast cancer specialist) and include routine referrals that have subsequently been reclassified as urgent by a breast cancer specialist.
The completed waiting time is measured from the date an initial breast cancer referral is first received by the Provider HSC Trust, and ends on the date that the patient attends their first outpatient appointment with a breast cancer specialist. Adjustments are made to the completed waiting time in the event of a patient cancelling, self-deferring or failing to attend a first outpatient appointment.
- This information was collated by Hospital Information Branch, DHSSPS.
- Media queries to DHSSPS Press Office on 02890 520567, or out of hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.