Western Trust has shortest urgent referrals wait time cancer

by Gráinne Connolly

The Department of Health released figures showing the Western Trust to be the best performing area out of all the Northern Ireland Trusts, for urgent referrals with cancer treatment. 

Although, figures also showed that the Western Trust is once again falling short of targets. 

In June a total of 88.2% of patients commenced their first treatment for cancer within 62 days of an urgent GP referral for suspect cancer. 

They've currently had the highest number of patients beginning treatment within the target number of days, for the past year. 

While this is the highest across the North, it still falls short of the 95% target that was set in 2009. 

This year all of the Health Trust's across Northern Ireland have fallen short of these targets. 

The South Eastern Trust was the worst-performing body with only 55.3% of patients beginning they're first cancer treatment after a GP referral.

This was followed by the Belfast Trust with 63.5% of patients, seen within the recommended time frame. 

In June 2017, a total of 387 patients commenced their first treatment for cancer after an urgent GP referral for suspected cancer. 

Only 69% of them were seen within the 62 days target that is set, which is in comparison to the year before. 

In June 2016, 285 patients were began cancer treatment after being referred by their local doctor and 71.9% were treated within the recommended time frame. 

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