![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/two-thirds-of-cancer-waiting-time-targets-to-be-axed-in-england/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/130790169_gettyimages-1352435554.jpg&description=Image source, Getty Images Two-thirds of NHS cancer waiting time targets are expected to be scrapped in England, in a move the health service says aims to catch cancers earlier. NHS bosses want to reduce the number of targets, most of which have been routinely missed in recent years, from nine to three. They say the plan is backed by leading cancer experts and will simplify the "outdated" standards. But the head of the Radiotherapy UK charity said she is "deeply worried". Pat Price, who is also an oncologist and visiting professor at Imperial College London, said current performance was "shockingly bad", and while too many targets could be disruptive, "the clear and simple truth is that we are not investing enough in cancer treatment capacity". The changes have been under consultation since last year, and an outcome is expected within days. NHS leaders are understood to be keen to press on with the plan as first announced - but it is still subject to final approval by Health Secretary Steve Barclay. Three targets are set to be kept: diagnosis of cancer within 28 days of referral starting treatment within two months of an urgent referral starting treatment one month after a decision to treat. Six other targets, such as a two-week wait for a first consultant appointment, will be dropped. An NHS England spokesperson said: "By making sure more patients are diagnosed and treated as early as possible following a referral and replacing the outdated two-week wait target with the faster diagnosis standard already being used across the country, hundreds of patients waiting to have cancer ruled out or diagnosed could receive this news faster." They added the changes will allow more patients to be referred "straight to test" and enable the wider use of diagnostic technologies like artificial intelligence. Labour shadow health secretary Wes Streeting accused the Conservatives of creating a cancer care crisis and leaving patients waiting "dangerously long". "Sunak should focus on){kind=link}
Two-thirds of NHS cancer waiting time targets are expected to be scrapped in England, in a move the health service says aims to catch cancers earlier.
NHS bosses want to reduce the number of targets, most of which have been routinely missed in recent years, from nine to three.
They say the plan is backed by leading cancer experts and will simplify the “outdated” standards.
But the head of the Radiotherapy UK charity said she is “deeply worried”.
Pat Price, who is also an oncologist and visiting professor at Imperial College London, said current performance was “shockingly bad”, and while too many targets could be disruptive, “the clear and simple truth is that we are not investing enough in cancer treatment capacity”.