Trust which run's Stafford's County Hospital failing cancer targets

Performance statistics for August show that the University Hospitals of North Midlands Trust failed to meet seven of its nine benchmarks relating to people suffering with the disease.

Bosses fell short of required standards in the three main areas - referring patients from GPs to hospital outpatients, treating patients within 31 days, and treating urging cases within 62 days.

Trust chief executive Mark Hackett has said there is simply more demand for cancer services now but vowed that all targets would be met by December.

A total of 30 patients with breast related symptoms had to wait longer than the standard two-week period to be seen as a hospital outpatient after being referred by their GP.

In total there were 201 patients in this category across County Hospital and Royal Stoke meaning the trust's overall success rate was 85 per cent for the month - its target is 93 per cent.

While around 30 patients who were put forward for 'urgent treatment' by their doctors were not dealt with within 62 days as is required giving the trust an 80 per cent success rate in this area short of the 85 per cent target.

Five patients out of 48 had to wait longer than 31 days for surgery meaning the trust fell short of the 94 per cent benchmark.

Three people out of 35 were not given anti-cancer drugs within same time-frame. As a result UHNM managed a 93 per cent success rate against the 98 per cent requirement.

While the trust failed to provide three patients radiotherapy at Royal Stoke resulting in another missed target.

Three out of 20 patients who needed 'urgent screening' within 62 days did not get it, and six people out of 72 who required an upgraded consultant within two months did not receive one.

The trust did meet two of its standards for the month.

Out of 1,723 patients referred from their GP to hospital outpatients 1,626 were seen within two weeks - 94 per cent success compared to a target of 93 per cent.

And 274 patients out of 283 received treatments for tumours within 31 days - 97 per cent against the 96 per cent benchmark.

Mr Hackett added: "The Trust is one of many across the country that is working to improve access to cancer care.

"We have seen a considerable increase in demand for our services and are working to ensure the standards are delivered over the next few months by increasing capacity in diagnostics and treatment services.

"Cancer care continues to be one of our key priorities and we are working with commissioners to ensure this standard is met by December 2015."