Hospitals across Nottinghamshire are working to tackle cancer treatment backlogs as trusts continue to fail to meet national targets. In August 2022, just 57.4 per cent of patients at Queen's Medical Centre and City Hospital began treatment within two months of being referred by a GP, according to figures from NHS England.
NHS targets say that trusts should aim to see 85 per cent of patients within 62 days. The average across all trusts is 62.5 per cent.
In March 2020, when the Covid pandemic hit, Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH), which runs the city hospital, was seeing 85.2 per cent of referrals. The NHS trust admitted it still had a way to go, but said it understood "how distressing these long waiting times are for our patients".
“As with all NHS Trusts we are working to tackle the backlog of cancer treatment," said a spokesperson. "Despite a really busy summer our staff have made good progress. While we’re making improvements we still have a way go and we understand how distressing these long waiting times are for our patients.
"We will continue to work with our partners across the health system to ensure patients receive cancer treatment as quickly as possible. Our clinical teams are monitoring all of our patients who are waiting and will treat those with the greatest need first.”
Meanwhile, Sherwood Forest Hospitals, which runs King's Mill, Newark and Mansfield Community hospitals, saw 64 per cent of patients within two months of referral, down from 81.6% in March 2020.
Maggie McManus, trust deputy chief operating officer, said: “We know the impact cancer has on the lives of the thousands of patients we come into contact with each year and those closest to them.
"Demand for NHS services remains exceptionally high across the country and our hard-working teams are doing all they can, alongside our health and social care partners, to ensure patients can continue to access the treatment they need as quickly as possible. If you think you’re experiencing the symptoms of cancer, please speak to your GP team as quickly as possible.”
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