West Midlands cancer patients still ‘waiting too long’ for treatment, report says
Work is being carried out to improve NHS performance in the 62 day cancer standard.
The number of West Midlands cancer patients starting treatment in within standard remains a ‘challenge’.
A report to the NHS Birmingham and Solihull and Black Country Joint ICB Cluster Board showed hitting the target for the ’62 day standard’ was proving to be difficult.
The treatment standard requires patients to start their treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral.
In Birmingham and Solihull, the June 2026 showed the 62 day standard performance at 69.53 per cent, still some distance off the end of financial year 80 per cent target.
It’s performance in the 28 day standard, the time period where a patient should receive a notice of having cancer or it being ruled out, was better with 86.48 per cent hitting the target.
In the Black Country, the 62 day standard achieved was 71.5 per cent against the target of 77 per cent.
Likewise, it’s 28 day standard performance fared better with 81.2 per cent achieved against a target of 80 per cent.
Among the work being carried out to drive improvements across Birmingham and Solihull includes speciality action plans being drawn up.
Tumour Specific Operational Groups are now being set up for every tumour site. A system-wide strategy and delivery plan in development for presentation at Cancer Boards in September.
A number of programmes have also been implemented to address cancer health inequalities across the areas.
The cancer bus tour started on September 7 and is being based with community venues and faith organisations to encourage people in normally hard to reach areas to get more information.
The Mobile Cervical Screening unit also continues to tour across Birmingham and Solihull and an expansion into the Black Country is underway.
A project for a self-referral chest X-Ray in East Birmingham also went live at the start of August.
The report said: “Progress towards meeting the 62 day standard remains challenged, with a confirmed validated system performance of 69.53 per cent in June 26, against a March 2027 target of 80 per cent.”
In the Black Country, it’s 62 day performance continues to be reviewed at regular meetings and calls.
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