Published: 03/03/2005, Volume III, No. 5945 Page 9
More than four out of 10 patients diagnosed with cancer wait over two weeks to see a specialist after being referred by their GP, and two out of 10 wait more than one month, according to the National Audit Office.
Ninety nine per cent of suspected cancer patients referred urgently by their GP are being seen by a specialist within the Department of Health target of two weeks. However, the survey questions whether enough patients are being referred 'urgently'.
'Our earlier report, Tackling Cancer in England: saving more lives, estimated that approximately one third of cancer patients might not be referred urgently, ' the report said.
'Our survey indicates that the actual figure may be higher than this since [42 per cent] of patients had waited more than two weeks.' The report shows an improvement in how patients rated cancer services between 2000 and 2004.
However, as in 2000, prostate cancer patients reported a worse experience than those with other cancers and patients in London remained less positive about their care.
Commons public accounts committee chair Edward Leigh said: 'Eighty five per cent of patients in 2004 said the care they received from their GP was good or very good. Patients were also largely positive about the care they received in hospital from doctors and nurses.
'But no-one should feel satisfied with the current state of affairs.
Patients with prostate cancer report significantly worse experiences than those with breast, bowel or lung cancer. Services in London do not match up to elsewhere in England, according to patients. Too many cancer sufferers felt they were not being given enough information about their illnesses and treatment.'
No comments yet