Publication of cancer waiting times statistics release (April - June 2016)

The Department of Health (DoH) today published cancer waiting times statistics release for April, May and June 2016.

The release gives details of the waiting times for patients accessing cancer services at hospitals in the north of Ireland during April, May and June 2016.

Key facts and figures for cancer waiting times for the months of April, May and June 2016 are listed below:

Latest Position (June 2016)

• In June 2016, 386 patients commenced first treatment for cancer following an urgent referral for suspect cancer. Of these 71.8%, (277 started treatment within 62 days
• During June 2016, 854 patients commenced their first treatment for cancer following a decision to treat being taken. Of these 794 (93.0%) started treatment within 31 days
• During June 2016, 916 (63.9%) of the 1,433 patients seen by a breast cancer specialist for a first assessment following an urgent referral for suspect breast cancer, were seen within 14 days

Latest Quarter (April - June 2016)

• The percentage of patients first treated for cancer within 62 days following an urgent GP referral for suspect cancer increased from 68.4% in April 2016 (225 out of 329 patients) to 71.8% in June 2016 (277 out of 386 patients)
• The percentage of patients first treated within 31 days following a decision to treat increased from 91.9% treated within 31 days in April 2016 (731 of 795 patients) to  93.0% in June 2016 (794 of 854 patients)
• There was a decrease in the percentage of patients first seen within 14 days following an urgent referral for suspect breast cancer, from 75.2% in April 2016 (968 out of 1,287 patients) to 63.9% in June 2016 (916 of the 1,433 patients)

Position compared to same month last year (June 2015 to June 2016)

• In June 2016, 277 of the 386 patients (71.8%) commenced their first treatment within 62 days, compared with 241 of the 347 patients (69.5%) in June 2015
• In June 2016, 794 out of 854 patients (93.0%) were treated within 31 days of a decision to treat, compared with 793 of the 821 patients (96.6%) treated within 31 days in June 2015
• The percentage of patients first seen within 14 days following an urgent referral for suspect breast cancer decreased from 81.4% in June 2015 (1,088 out of 1,336), to 63.9% in June 2016 (916 out of 1,433)

Notes to editors: 

1. All statistical publications relating to waiting times are available online 
2. 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 the north of Ireland and privately funded patients seen or treated in Health and Social Care hospitals in the north of Ireland
   • Data include all returns and amendments received from HSC Trusts up to 12 September 2016.
3. Ministerial Target for Cancer Waiting Times

   The 2016/17 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 2016, 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 2016, 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 2016, all urgent breast cancer referrals should be seen within 14 days’.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. This information was collated by Hospital Information Branch, DoH.

   Further information is available from:

   Hospital Information Branch,
   Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety,
   Annex 2, Castle Buildings,
   Stormont, BT4 3SQ
   Telephone: 028 90 765725
   E-mail: Statistics@health-ni.gov.uk
   Internet: Department of Health

8. For media enquiries please contact the DoH Information Office on 028 9052 0074, or out of hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned. Follow us on Twitter @healthdpt

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