Publication of the Northern Ireland Cancer Waiting Times statistics release (April - June 2015)

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety today published the Northern Ireland Cancer Waiting Times Statistics Release for April, May and June 2015. The release gives details of the waiting times for patients accessing cancer services at hospitals in Northern Ireland during April, May and June 2015. Key facts and figures for NI Cancer Waiting Times for the months of April, May and June 2015 are listed below:

Latest Position (June 2015)

• In June 2015, 347 patients commenced treatment for cancer following an urgent referral for suspect cancer. Of these, over two thirds (69.5%, 241 out of 347) commenced their first treatment within 62 days.
• In June 2015, 821 patients commenced treatment for cancer in Northern Ireland, following a decision to treat being taken. Of these 821 patients, 793 (96.6%) commenced their first treatment within 31 days of the decision to treat being taken.
• During June 2015, 1,336 patients were seen by a breast cancer specialist for a first assessment following an urgent referral for suspect breast cancer. Of these, 1,088 (81.4%) were seen within 14 days.

Latest Quarter (April - June 2015)

• The percentage of patients first treated for cancer within 62 days following an urgent GP referral for suspect cancer decreased from 77.6% in April 2015 (236 out of 304 patients) to 69.5% in June 2015 (241 out of 347 patients).
• The percentage of patients first treated within 31 days following a decision to treat was unchanged when comparing April 2015 and June 2015 with 96.6% treated within 31 days in April 2015 (708 of 733 patients) and 96.6% in June 2015 (793 of 821 patients).
• There was an increase in the percentage of patients first seen within 14 days following an urgent referral for suspect breast cancer, from 78.3% in April 2015 (954 out of 1,219 patients) to 81.4% in June 2015 (1,088 of the 1,336 patients).

Position compared to same month last year (June 2014 to June 2015)

• When compared to the same month last year, the percentage of patients treated within 62 days following an urgent referral was lower in June 2015, with 241 of the 347 patients (69.5%) commencing treatment within 62 days,compared with 218 of the 283 patients (77.0%) commencing treatment within 62 days in June 2014.
• Comparing June 2014 to June 2015, the percentage of patients commencing treatment within 31 days following a decision to treat was lower in June 2015, with 793 of the 821 patients (96.6%) treated within 31 days, compared with 714 of the 733 patients (97.4%) treated within 31 days in June 2014.
• The percentage of patients first seen within 14 days following an urgent referral for suspect breast cancer increased by 21.6 percentage points from 59.8% in June 2014 (606 out of 1,014), to 81.4% in June 2015 (1,088 out of 1,336).

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 Cancer Patient Pathway System (CaPPS) and the Departmental Return SDR 2.

Figures also include all patients living outside Northern Ireland and privately funded patients seen or treated in Health and Social Care hospitals in Northern Ireland.

Data include all returns and amendments received from HSC Trusts up to 14th September 2015.

3. Ministerial Target for Cancer Waiting Times
The 2015/16 Ministerial target has three components associated with cancer waiting times:

The Ministerial Target on waiting times for treatment following an urgent referral for suspect cancer states that, ‘from April 2015, 95% of patients urgently referred with a suspect cancer should begin their treatment within 62 days’.

The Ministerial Target on waiting times for cancer treatment following a decision to treat states that, ‘from April 2015, at least 98% of patients diagnosed with cancer should receive their first definitive treatment within 31 days of a decision to treat’.

The Ministerial Target on waiting times for a first assessment with a breast cancer specialist states that, ‘from April 2015, all urgent breast cancer referrals should be seen within 14 days’.

4. Definition of Waiting Times for Treatment following an urgent referral for Suspect Cancer
These data relate to patients who received a first definitive treatment for cancer (having been given an ‘International Classification of Diseases 10’ (ICD 10) diagnosis) during each of the three months covered in the publication, following an urgent referral for suspect cancer from a General Practitioner or a routine GP referral that has subsequently been reclassified as urgent by a cancer specialist. Data for all cancers are included with the exception of basal cell carcinoma. Referrals from sources other than a GP, routine referrals 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 receives their first 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.

5. Definition of Waiting Times for Treatment following a Decision to Treat for cancer
These data relate to all patients who received a first definitive treatment for cancer (having been given an ICD 10 diagnosis) during each of the three months covered in the publication, irrespective of their source or type 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 is taken to treat a patient for cancer and ends on the date that the patient receives 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.

6. 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 include 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 attends their first outpatient appointment with a breast cancer specialist. Adjustments are made to the completed waiting time in the event of a patient cancelling, self-deferring or failing to attend a first outpatient appointment.

7. This information was collated by Hospital Information Branch, DHSSPS.  Further information is available from Hospital Information Branch

8. 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. Follow us on Twitter @healthdpt

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