St George’s Healthcare NHS Trust has passed all national cancer treatment and diagnosis targets for 2011/12, improving the prospects for thousands of cancer patients.

Figures published by the Department of Health showed over 95 per cent of patients with suspected cancer were seen at St George’s Hospital, Tooting or Queen Mary’s Hospital, Roehampton, within 14 days of seeing their GP. Nearly 98 per cent of cancer patients received their first treatment within one month of being diagnosed.

Cancer targets are set nationally and ensure that patients who are either suspected of having cancer or who have been diagnosed receive treatment as quickly as possible. If found to have cancer, patients must receive their first treatment and any subsequent treatment within specific timelines.

Mr Nicholas Hyde, clinical director for cancer services, said:
“The trust has at times during 2011/12 seen over a thousand two-week referrals in one month. This demonstrates how important the cancer service is to the local and regional population of St George’s. Over the last year our figures show that the trust has met all the national targets including the number of patients receiving their first definitive treatment for cancer within two months (62 days) of a GP’s urgent referral for specialist cancer. Over the next year we will ensure that we maintain this excellent record and continuously strive to improve the cancer care patients receive at St George’s Healthcare.”

June 23, 2012