Publication of NI Cancer Waiting Times Statistics Release (October - December 2016)

The Department of Health today published the NI Cancer Waiting Times Statistics Release for October, November and December 2016.

The release gives details of the waiting times for patients accessing cancer services at hospitals during October, November and December 2016.

Key facts and figures for Cancer Waiting Times for the months of October, November and December 2016 are listed below:

Latest Position (December 2016)

• in December 2016, 338 patients commenced first treatment for cancer following an urgent referral for suspect cancer. Of these 68.6% (232 patients) started treatment within 62 days
• during December 2016, 791 patients commenced their first treatment for cancer following a decision to treat being taken. Of these, 761 (96.2%) started treatment within 31 days
• during December 2016, 1,107 (91.4%) of the 1,211 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 (October - December 2016)

• the percentage of patients first treated for cancer within 62 days following an urgent GP referral for suspect cancer increased from 65.6% in October 2016 (229 out of 349 patients) to 68.6% in December 2016 (232 out of 338 patients)
• the percentage of patients first treated within 31 days following a decision to treat increased from 94.3% in October 2016 (748 out of 793 patients) to  96.2% in December 2016 (761 out of 791 patients)
• there was a decrease in the percentage of patients first seen within 14 days following an urgent referral for suspect breast cancer, from 99.4% in October 2016 (1,282 out of 1,290 patients) to 91.4% in December 2016 (1,107 out of 1,211 patients)

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

• in December 2016, 232 of the 338 patients (68.6%) commenced their first treatment within 62 days, compared with 267 of the 370 patients (72.2%) in December 2015
• in December 2016, 761 out of 791 patients (96.2%) were treated within 31 days of a decision to treat, compared with 795 of the 820 patients (97.0%) treated within 31 days in December 2015
• the percentage of patients first seen within 14 days following an urgent referral for suspect breast cancer increased from 49.5% in December 2015 (744 out of 1,503), to 91.4% in December 2016 (1,107 out of 1,211)

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 22nd March 2017

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
Annex 2, Castle Buildings
Stormont, BT4 3SQ

Telephone: 028 90 765725

E-mail: Statistics@health-ni.gov.uk

8. For media enquiries about this press release, please contact the DoH Press Office on 028 9052 0575 or email pressoffice@health-ni.gov.uk. For out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07623 974 383 and your call will be returned. Follow us on Twitter @healthdpt

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