NHS cancer waiting times, November 2012

Statistics on cancer waiting times include data for Welsh Local Health Boards (LHBs) for the month ending November 2012. The latest release updates the quarterly statistics previously released on 20 December 2012.

The key points for month ending November 2012 are:

• 85.3 per cent of patients (412 out of 483) newly diagnosed with cancer via the Urgent Suspected Cancer route started definitive treatment within the target time of 62 days

Since the quarter ending September 2008, this percentage has been around the low to mid 90s at the end of each quarter. It fell below 90 per cent in the quarters ending June and September 2011, but rose to 90 per cent for the quarters ending December 2011 and March 2012. However, it fell below 90 per cent in the quarters ending June and September 2012.

• 98.0 per cent of patients (867 out of 885) who were newly diagnosed with cancer not via the Urgent route started definitive treatment within the target time of 31 days

The longer term trend has been fairly static, fluctuating around 98 and 99 per cent since quarter ending September 2007 and generally meeting the target.

• 4 of the 6 LHBs met the target that at least 98 per cent of patients newly diagnosed with cancer not via the Urgent route should start definitive treatment within 31 days. None of the 6 LHBs met the target that at least 95 per cent of patients newly diagnosed with cancer via the Urgent route should start definitive treatment within 62 days

All figures relating to November 2012 are provisional. Note that there are small numbers in the monthly statistics; therefore care should be taken when interpreting percentages.

To access the data, please go to the StatsWales website. Please note that the data is released monthly via StatsWales on a headline page. On a quarterly basis, we produce a statistical release that includes the data for the previous three months, detailed commentary and information on the targets and any revisions.

We also produce a quality report that has information about the methodology, how the data (monthly and quarterly) is released, definitions, information on disclosure and details on how revisions to the data are handled.

Revisions

There have been no revisions to the data for October 2012, published on 20 December 2012.

Further information

StatsWales website (external link)

Contact

Tel: 029 2080 1268
E-mail: stats.healthinfo@wales.gsi.gov.uk

Next update

27 February 2013