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You may have heard urgent suspected cancer referrals referred to as a two-week wait (“2WW”). The term two-week wait refers to the ideal time between the date a patient’s suspected cancer referral is received by the specialist team at Noble Hospital and the date of their first appointment. This is just one of the UK’s cancer waiting time targets for patients referred for suspected cancer.
In August 2023, the UK will move away from the two-week wait (“2WW”) target and towards the Faster Diagnosis Standard (FDS). The FDS replaces the original target of simply getting a first appointment within two weeks, with the first target set at the date the patient is told they are cancer-free or diagnosed with cancer. The FDS aims for 75% of all patients referred via an urgent suspected cancer referral (formally known as the “two-week wait”) to receive a non-cancer or confirmed cancer diagnosis within 28 days.
The three cancer waiting time targets introduced in August 2023 are designed to ensure all aspects of the patient journey; from referral, diagnosis/discharge to treatment, are timely and monitored and reported in line with other English NHS Trusts to allow for comparative performance. In addition to the 28-day FDS, two further targets have been introduced:
31 days from decision to treat to first treatment (‘DTT’) target – this is the date the clinical team and patient agree on the treatment plan to the date treatment starts.
62-Day Referral to First Treatment (“RTT”) Goal – For patients diagnosed with cancer, the 62-day goal begins on the date the referral is received by Noble Hospital and ends on the date the patient begins cancer treatment.
Previously, the main target was for people with suspected cancer to see a specialist within 14 days of being urgently referred by their GP or a screening programme, often referred to as the 2WW target. However, this did not set expectations for how long people would have to wait for any tests they needed, for the test results to come back, and for whether they had cancer. Being referred for suspected cancer can be anxious, and the 2WW target of seeing a specialist helps ensure many people are seen quickly by a specialist.
However, seeing a specialist is only the first step; many people with cancer need tests and test results, and sometimes further tests and test results, before they can get a diagnosis.
Prior to the introduction of FDS, this important information was not captured, and the old goals did not provide the impetus to accelerate progress in this part of the cancer treatment pathway.
The new “faster diagnostic criteria” are more meaningful than a two-week waiting period and could improve early diagnosis.
Professor Partha Vaiude, Clinical Director of Cancer Services, said:
“While the two-week wait (2WW) target for active surveillance urgent suspected cancer referrals supported our patients receiving initial rapid assessments by specialists, it did not take into account the time it took for patients to be informed of the final diagnosis, which in most cases means cancer has been ruled out. Moving to the new Fast Diagnostic Standards (FDS) takes this extra step in the patient journey into account, transforming our active surveillance to ensure our patients receive a diagnosis within 28 days of receiving a referral to Noble Hospital, allowing them to be discharged or receive cancer treatment.
“The Isle of Man Care Centre has adopted this new standard with enthusiasm and diligence, with our cancer services team working together to deliver the different elements to ensure our patients receive the best possible care.”
Within Manx Care, a team of Cancer Multidisciplinary Team Coordinators (CMDT Coordinators) follow referrals from point of admission to Noble Hospital and ask any questions to ensure patients meet the criteria as best as possible.
If you are waiting for an appointment and are concerned that you have not heard back, you can contact the team that referred you, which may be your GP, optometrist, dentist or other healthcare professional. Or you can call the Patient Information Centre +44 1624 650103.
Manx Care has produced a leaflet to explain the changes to cancer waiting time targets and provide support and guidance to those patients who are urgently referred for suspected cancer.
If you or someone you know has been affected by cancer and needs information, guidance or support, please contact the Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Service:
Telephone: +44 1624 650735
e-mail: MCISS@gov.im
This service is available from 9:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays).
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