Cancer Waiting Time Targets

The following targets were introduced between 2002 and 2005:
Two Week Wait Rule:
If a GP suspects cancer, the patient must be seen by a consultant within two weeks

31 Day target:
A cancer patient must receive first treatment within 31 days of “decision to treat”

62 day target:
A patient referred by a GP must receive first treatment within 62 days of GP referral.


Targets from January 2009 are:
Consultant upgrades (62 day pathway)
If a consultant makes a cancer referral, treatment must start with 62 days.

Screening Referrals (62 day pathway)
Similarly if screening leads to a cancer referral, treatment must start with 62 days.

Subsequent treatments:
Patients with a recurrence of cancer or needing subsequent cancer surgery or chemotherapy, should be treated with 31 days of being fit enough to have the treatment.


From 1st January 2010
All referrals to a symptomatic breast service, regardless of suspicion of cancer, must be seen within two weeks


From 1st January 2011
Patients with a recurrence of cancer or needing subsequent radiotherapy or other cancer treatment, must be treated within 31 days of being fit enough to have the treatment.


There are also new rules about how 31 days and 62 days are counted. The clock cannot now be stopped for patients to consider options or go on holiday, so reported compliance is expected to fall.

Joan