Davey: Too many cancer patients waiting too long to start treatment 

EMBARGO: 00:01 THURSDAY 13th JUNE

Responding to two major reports on the state of NHS cancer care, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: 

"Every day counts in the battle against cancer. But far too many patients are still waiting too long to start treatment after being diagnosed and cancer delays have soared to the worst levels on record. 

"That’s why the Liberal Democrats would introduce a legal guarantee for all cancer patients to start treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral.  

"We have an ambitious plan to save the NHS and fix the cancer crisis, which is at the heart of the Liberal Democrat campaign in this general election.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

Embargoed reports below

Cancer Research UK - Around 382,000 patients in England have not started their cancer treatment within the target time since December 2015*, when the target was last met, according to the latest data analysis from Cancer Research UK. 

The NHS in England aims to begin treatment for 85% of cancer patients within 62 days of an urgent referral.**  

Royal College of Radiologists - The Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) issues an urgent call to action to the next government, as two new reports underscore the dire state of cancer care in the UK due to escalating workforce shortages. The findings reveal a stark reality: delays in diagnosis and treatment are putting patients' lives at risk. The RCR also found that early half of cancer centres face weekly delays, with 97% of clinical directors blaming workforce.