The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety today published the Northern Ireland Cancer Waiting Times Statistics Release for July, August and September 2015.
The release gives details of the waiting times for patients accessing cancer services at hospitals in Northern Ireland during July, August and September 2015.
Key facts and figures for NI Cancer Waiting Times for the months of July, August and September 2015 are listed below:
Latest Position (September 2015)
- In September 2015, 358 patients commenced treatment for cancer following an urgent referral for suspect cancer. Of these, over two thirds (69.6%, 249 out of 358) commenced their first treatment within 62 days.
- In September 2015, 805 patients commenced treatment for cancer in Northern Ireland, following a decision to treat being taken. Of these 805 patients, 776 (96.4%) commenced their first treatment within 31 days of the decision to treat being taken.
- During September 2015, 1,254 patients were seen by a breast cancer specialist for a first assessment following an urgent referral for suspect breast cancer. Of these, 1,096 (87.4%) were seen within 14 days.
Latest Quarter (July - September 2015)
- The percentage of patients first treated for cancer within 62 days following an urgent GP referral for suspect cancer decreased from 72.3% in July 2015 (240 out of 332 patients) to 69.6% in September 2015 (249 out of 358 patients).
- There was little change in the percentage of patients first treated within 31 days following a decision to treat when comparing July 2015 and September 2015, with 96.6% treated within 31 days in July 2015 (792 of 820 patients) and 96.4% in September 2015 (776 of 805 patients).
- There was an increase in the percentage of patients first seen within 14 days following an urgent referral for suspect breast cancer, from 85.4% in July 2015 (1,032 out of 1,208 patients) to 87.4% in September 2015 (1,096 of the 1,254 patients).
Position compared to same month last year (September 2014 to September 2015)
- When compared to the same month last year, the percentage of patients treated within 62 days following an urgent referral was higher in September 2015, with 249 of the 358 patients (69.6%) commencing treatment within 62 days, compared with 213 of the 330 patients (64.5%) commencing treatment within 62 days in September 2014.
- Comparing September 2014 to September 2015, the percentage of patients commencing treatment within 31 days following a decision to treat was higher in September 2015, with 776 of the 805 patients (96.4%) treated within 31 days, compared with 735 of the 773 patients (95.1%) treated within 31 days in September 2014.
- The percentage of patients first seen within 14 days following an urgent referral for suspect breast cancer decreased by 12.0 percentage points from 99.4% in September 2014 (1,034 out of 1,040), to 87.4% in September 2015 (1,096 out of 1,254).
Notes to editors:
1. All statistical publications relating to waiting times are available online.
2. About the data
- Ministerial Target for Cancer Waiting Times
- 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 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 22 December 2015.
The 2015/16 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 2015, 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 2015, 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 2015, 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, DHSSPS.
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 9076 5725
E-mail: Statistics@dhsspsni.gov.uk
Internet: Department of Health
8. 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.