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Publication of the Northern Ireland cancer waiting times statistics release (October - December 2009)

Thursday, 1 April 2010

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety today published the Northern Ireland Cancer Waiting Times Statistics Release for October, November and December 2009.

The release gives details of the waiting time for patients accessing cancer services at hospitals in Northern Ireland during the months of October, November and December 2009.

Key facts and figures for NI Cancer Waiting Times for the months of October, November and December 2009:

Waiting Times for a First Assessment with a Breast Cancer Specialist

• Achievement of the 2009/2010 Priorities for Action Target relating to waiting times for a first assessment with a Breast Cancer Specialist requires that ‘from April 2009, all urgent Breast cancer referrals should be seen within 14 days’.
• During the month of October 2009, of the 691 patients that were first seen by a breast cancer specialist following an urgent referral for suspected breast cancer, 690 (99.9%) received their assessment within two weeks of referral. In November 2009, all of the 722 patients first seen were assessed by a breast specialist within 14 days of the date on which the referral was received by the Health and Social Care Trust. In December 2009, of the 685 patients first seen, all were assessed within two weeks.

Waiting Times for Treatment

• Achievement of the 2009/2010 Priorities for Action Target relating to waiting times for treatment following a decision to treat requires that ‘from April 2009, 98% of patients should commence treatment within 31 days from decision to treat’.
• During October 2009, 672 patients commenced treatment for cancer following a decision to treat being taken. Of this number, 657 (97.8%) commenced treatment within 31 days of the date on which the decision to treat was taken. In August 2009, 646 (97.1%) of the 665 patients that commenced treatment did so within 31 days. In December 2009, this percentage increased to 98.2% (596 of the 607 patients treated within 31 days).

Waiting Times for Treatment following an urgent GP referral for Suspect Cancer

• Achievement of the 2009/2010 Priorities for Action Target relating to waiting times for treatment following an urgent referral for suspect cancer requires that ‘from April 2009, 95% of patients urgently referred with a suspect cancer should begin their treatment within 62 days’.
• During October 2009, a total of 193 patients were first treated for cancer following an urgent referral for suspected cancer. Of this number, 174 (90.2%) commenced treatment within 62 days of the referral being received by a Health and Social Care Trust. In November 2009, this percentage decreased to 88.4% (175 out of 198 patients treated within 62 days) and then increased to 90.1% in December 2009 (164 out of 182 patients treated within 62 days).

Notes to editors:

1. All statistical publications relating to waiting times are available online:

2. About the data

• The sources for the data contained in this release are the Departmental Return SDR 2 and the Cancer Patient Pathway System (CaPPS).
• Figures include all privately funded patients waiting for treatment in Health and Social Care hospitals and those patients who are resident outside Northern Ireland.
• Data include all returns and amendments received from HSC Trusts up to 25 March 2010.

3. Definition of Waiting Times for a First Assessment with a Breast Cancer Specialist

• These data relate to urgent referrals (excluding those that have been reclassified as routine by the breast cancer specialist, and including routine referrals that have subsequently been reclassified as urgent by a breast cancer specialist).
• The completed waiting time is measured from the date an initial breast cancer referral is first received by the Provider HSC Trust, and ends on the date that the patient had attended their first outpatient appointment with a breast cancer specialist. Adjustments are made to the completed waiting time in the event of a patient cancelling or failing to attend a first outpatient appointment.

4. Definition of Waiting Times for Treatment following a Decision to Treat for cancer

• These data relate to patients who received a first definitive treatment for cancer (having been given an ‘International Classification of Diseases 10’ diagnosis) during the months of October, November and December 2009, irrespective of their source of referral. Data include treatment for all cancers, with the exception of basal cell carcinoma. Patients that have not been given an ICD 10 diagnosis are excluded.
• The completed waiting time is measured from the date a decision was taken to treat a patient for cancer and ends on the date that the patient received their first definitive treatment for cancer. The decision to treat is the date on which the patient and the clinician agree the planned treatment. Adjustments are made to the completed waiting time in the event of a patient cancelling or self deferring treatment or as a result of suspension for either medical or social reasons.

5. Definition of Waiting Times for Treatment following an urgent referral for Suspect Cancer

• These data relate to all patients who received a first definitive treatment for cancer (having been given an ICD 10 diagnosis) during the months of October, November and December 2009, following an urgent GP referral for suspect cancer, and routine referrals that have subsequently been reclassified as urgent by a cancer specialist. Data relate to urgent referrals for all cancers with the exception of basal cell carcinoma. Referrals from sources other than a GP, routine referrals from a GP (except for those reclassified as urgent) and patients who have not been given an ICD 10 diagnosis are excluded.
• The completed waiting time is measured from the date an initial urgent GP referral for suspect cancer is received by the Provider HSC Trust and ends on the date the patient received their first definitive treatment for cancer. Adjustments are made to the completed waiting time in the event of a patient cancelling or self deferring treatment or as a result of suspension for either medical or social reasons.

6. This information was collated by Hospital Information Branch, DHSSPS.

Further information is available from:
Hospital Information Branch,
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety,
Annex 2, Castle Buildings,
Stormont, BT4 3SQ

Telephone: 028 90 522506

E-mail:

Internet:

7. Media queries to DHSSPS Press Office on 02890 520074, or out of office hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.