NHS Test 19
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Cancer Waiting Times standards represent a set of commitments about the speed with which patients presenting with potential cancer symptoms will be seen, investigated, and treated, reflecting the evidence that earlier diagnosis and treatment of cancer is associated with better outcomes for patients and the political priority given to cancer services across successive NHS planning frameworks. The 28-day Faster Diagnosis Standard requires that patients referred urgently with suspected cancer or who are identified through screening as requiring further investigation should receive a diagnosis or have cancer ruled out within 28 days of referral, giving patients clarity about their condition as rapidly as possible and allowing treatment to begin promptly where cancer is confirmed. The 31-day decision to treat standard requires that once a decision to treat a cancer patient is made, treatment should begin within 31 days, reflecting the clinical importance of minimising any delay between decision and commencement of active treatment. The 62-day referral to treatment standard sets a maximum of 62 days between receipt of an urgent GP referral for suspected cancer and commencement of the first definitive treatment, and performance against this standard at trust and cancer alliance level is published monthly and closely scrutinised by NHS England, commissioners, and cancer patient advocates. Cancer Waiting Times data is collected through a national data submission process that requires trusts to submit information on each patient pathway that falls within the scope of the standards, and administrative staff responsible for cancer pathway management must ensure that data is accurate, complete, and submitted on time. Managing the cancer waiting times pathway administratively involves coordinating between specialties, booking investigations and multidisciplinary team meetings efficiently, and identifying patients at risk of breaching standards so that action can be taken before the deadline passes.