NHS Cancer Waiting Times, July 2012

Statistics on Cancer waiting times include data for Welsh Local Health Boards (LHBs) for the month ending July 2012. The latest release updates the monthly statistics previously released on 22 August 2012.

The key points for month ending July 2012 are:

• 87 per cent of patients (399 out of 459) 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. It fell below 90 per cent again in the quarter ending June 2012.
• Almost 98 per cent of patients (850 out of 869) 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.
• 3 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.  1 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 July 2012 are provisional. Note that there are smaller 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.

The United Kingdom Statistics Authority has designated these statistics as National Statistics, in accordance with the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007 and signifying compliance with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.

Designation can be broadly interpreted to mean that the statistics:

• meet identified user needs;
• are well explained and readily accessible;
• are produced according to sound methods, and
• are managed impartially and objectively in the public interest.

Once statistics have been designated as National Statistics it is a statutory requirement that the Code of Practice shall continue to be observed.

Feedback

As this is a new approach for releasing cancer waiting times’ data, we would value your feedback.

Further information

StatsWales website.

Contact

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

Next update

24 October 2012