Publication of the Northern Ireland Cancer Waiting Times Statistics release July-September 2008

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety today published the Northern Ireland Cancer Waiting Times Statistics release for July, August and September 2008.

The Northern Ireland Cancer Waiting Times Statistics release gives details of the waiting time for patients accessing cancer services at hospitals in Northern Ireland during the months of July, August and September 2008.

Key facts and figures for Northern Ireland Cancer Waiting Times for the months of July, August and September 2008:

Waiting Times for a First Assessment with a Breast Cancer Specialist:

• Achievement of the 2008/2009 Priorities for Action Target relating to waiting times for a first assessment with a Breast Cancer Specialist requires that ‘from April 2008, all urgent GP referrals for breast cancer must wait no longer than 14 days for a first appointment with a breast cancer specialist, with all urgent breast cancer referrals – both from GPs and other practitioners – being seen within 14 days by March 2009.
• During the months of July and September 2008, of the 620 and 522 patients respectively that were first seen by a breast cancer specialist following an urgent GP referral for suspected breast cancer, all patients received their assessment within two weeks of referral. In August 2008, of the 543 patients first seen, 523 (96.3%) were assessed by a breast cancer specialist within 14 days of the date on which the referral was received by the Health and Social Care Trust.

Waiting Times for Treatment:

• Achievement of the 2008/2009 Priorities for Action Target relating to waiting times for treatment following a decision to treat requires that ‘from April 2008, for all patients that received their first definitive treatment for cancer, at least 98% will have waited no longer than 31 days from the date on which the decision to treat was taken to the date of first definitive treatment’.
• During July 2008, 531 patients commenced treatment for cancer following a decision to treat being taken. Of this number, 513 (96.6%) commenced treatment within 31 days of the date on which the decision to treat was taken. In August 2008, 487 (95.5%) of the 510 patients that commenced treatment did so within 31 days. This percentage increased to 96.6% in September 2008 (536 out of 555 patients treated within 31 days).

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

• Achievement of the 2008/2009 Priorities for Action Target relating to waiting times for treatment following an urgent GP referral for suspect cancer requires that ‘from April 2008, for all patients that received their first definitive treatment for cancer following an urgent referral by a GP for suspected cancer, at least 75% will have waited no longer than 62 days from the date of their initial GP referral to the first definitive treatment, increasing to 95% during March 2009’.
• During July 2008, a total of 180 patients were first treated for cancer following an urgent GP referral for suspected cancer. Of this number, 160 (88.9%) commenced treatment within 62 days of the referral being received by a Health and Social Care Trust. In August 2008, this percentage decreased to 83.0% (137 out of 165 patients treated within 62 days) and then increased to 86.8% in September 2008 (165 out of 190 patients treated within 62 days).

Notes to Editors:

1. All publications are available on the DHSSPS website

2. About the data:

• The sources for the data contained in this release are the Departmental Return SDR 2, the Northern Ireland Cancer Waiting Times Dataset 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 27 January 2009.

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 July, August and September 2008, 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 GP 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 July, August and September 2008, following an urgent referral for suspect cancer from a General Practitioner, and routine GP referrals that have subsequently been reclassified as urgent by a cancer specialist. Data relate to urgent GP 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 referral for suspect cancer from a GP 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 522800
E-mail: Statistics@dhsspsni.gov.uk
Internet: http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/index/stats_research/stats-activity_stats-2/

7. Media queries to DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0074, or out of hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.