PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Cancer: Coronavirus (3 September 2021)

The 2021/22 Priorities and Operational Planning Guidance sets out the priorities for the National Health Service, including the recovery aims for cancer: to find, diagnose and treat all those who have not started treatment during the pandemic; and reduce return the number of people waiting longer than 62 days to February 2020 levels.

Diagnostic capacity is being increased, particularly in endoscopy, computerised tomography and targeted lung health checks. Rapid diagnostic centres are opening across the country to bring together diagnostic equipment and expertise and support diagnostic capacity. The NHS is continuing to make the most of innovative treatments adopted during the pandemic, including new radiotherapy methods to deliver targeted treatment in fewer hospital visits.

We have made an additional £1 billion Elective Recovery Fund (ERF) for 2021/22 available to allow systems to increase activity levels above set thresholds, including in cancer treatment.