Ed Davey calls for 62-day cancer treatment guarantee as NHS target missed for 100,000 patients

EMBARGO: 22.30 Wednesday 5th June

• The Liberal Democrats have announced that their manifesto will include a pledge of a legal right for cancer patients to start treatment within 62-days

• Ed Davey says “far too many patients are still waiting far too long to start treatment” and that the “Liberal Democrats will make improving cancer care a top priority”

• Almost 100,000 cancer patients waited longer than 62-days to begin treatment last year 

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey has announced his party would give cancer patients a legal right to start treatment within 62-days after an urgent referral.

Ed Davey said his party would make “improving cancer care a top priority,” adding the issue was deeply personal to him having lost both his parents to cancer as a child.

Currently cancer care targets are routinely missed, with almost 100,000 cancer patients last year waiting longer than 62 days to begin treatment after an urgent referral, the worst on record. The 62 day target has not been met since 2015.

The Liberal Democrats would introduce a legal guarantee that 100% of patients will be able to start treatment within 62 days from urgent referral. The new cancer treatment guarantee would be enshrined in the NHS constitution, which already sets out a number of other patients’ rights. It would place a legal duty on the Government and the NHS to put the policies and resources in place to ensure the patient can start treatment within 62 days.

The manifesto pledge will form part of a plan to improve cancer care services with an additional £4bn invested over the next five years.

Liberal Democrat Leader, Ed Davey said:

“Like millions of people, my life was turned upside down by cancer, which took both my parents from me when I was young. I know how painful it feels to see your loved one left in limbo – diagnosed with cancer but waiting months for the treatment they need.

“Every day counts in a battle against cancer. But far too many patients are still waiting far too long to start treatment after being diagnosed as cancer delays soar to the worst levels on record.

“Despite all the progress by our incredible scientists and NHS staff, the UK still lags behind other countries when it comes to cancer survival rates – and these delays are a major reason why. That’s why the Liberal Democrats will make improving cancer care a top priority, and fight every day for better care for you and your loved ones.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

NHS targets missed: NHS data on cancer waiting times can be found here. 99,991 people waited more than 62 days to begin cancer treatment after an urgent referral in the 2023 calendar year, the worst waiting times on record. The NHS target is for 85% of patients to begin cancer treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral.

Legal Guarantee: The Liberal Democrats will introduce a guarantee that 100% of patients will be able to start treatment within 62 days from urgent referral. Much like our proposal for legal right to see a GP within a week, we would enshrine this right to cancer treatment in the NHS Constitution, which already sets out a number of other patients’ rights.