Almost nine out of 10 NHS groups are failing cancer patients, with low rates of diagnosis and treatment, new figures reveal.
Published by NHS England, the new data showed how all Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) are performing on waiting times, cancer survival, patient surveys and early diagnosis.
It found only 29 out of a total 209 local health boards were classed as performing well enough to meet the ambitions set out in the 2015 cancer plan, with Harrogate and Rural District, Leeds North and Solihull ranked at the top.
In July 2015, an independent cancer taskforce, put together by Cancer Research UK, published a report on behalf of the NHS which outlined six strategic priorities up to 2020.
Titled Achieving World-class Cancer Outcomes: a strategy for England, 2015-2020, the report said there should be a radical upgrade in prevention and public health, including a new tobacco control strategy.
It also called for a drive to achieve earlier diagnoses, patient experience on a par with clinical effectiveness and safety, and a better approach to supporting people living with and beyond cancer.
The report also specified the importance of more investment and better processes for commissioning, accountability and provision.
However, the new findings showed that two-thirds of areas are failing to achieve the target of ensuring 85% of cancer patients start treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral.
They also revealed more than half of all local health boards are not seeing 70% of cancer patients survive for a year.
Dr Fran Woodard, executive director of policy and impact at Macmillan Cancer Support, described the new data as ‘very concerning’.
‘The fact that so many CCGs in England have been identified as providing inadequate care to cancer patients - or requiring improvements in this area - is very concerning,’ she said.
‘It highlights just how much the NHS is struggling to meet the challenge of delivering cancer services which meet all the critical needs of people with cancer.’
An NHS England spokesperson defended the health service’s cancer performance and described it as ‘the best it’s ever been’.
‘NHS cancer patients’ care is now the best it’s ever been, but we’ve set stretching goals to save thousands more lives by 2020,’ they said.
‘Measured against this ambition it’s not surprising that most local services need to make further improvements, but we’re going to track progress transparently so everyone can see how we are improving care and outcomes for patients.’
Referring to the independent cancer task force’s report, Dr Woodard said: ‘The Cancer Strategy for England clearly shows how the NHS needs to address the significant improvements we all know need to happen urgently.
‘The system simply must be set up to care for people with cancer now and in the future. That's why we desperately need the Government to provide the funding, tools and workforce to deliver the improvements the strategy clearly recommends.’
