PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Cancer: Health Services (12 July 2022)

In Stockport, the Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance is implementing best timed pathways for lung, prostate and colorectal cancer to accelerate early diagnosis, reduce variation and improve patient experience.

The ‘Delivery plan for tackling the COVID-19 backlog of elective care’ sets out the ambition of returning the number of people waiting more than 62 days to start treatment following an urgent referral due to suspected cancer to pre-pandemic levels by March 2023. The plan also aims that 75% of patients who have been urgently referred by their general practitioner for suspected cancer will be diagnosed or have cancer ruled out within 28 days by March 2024.

The Department committed an additional £8 billion from 2022/23 to 2024/25, in addition to the £2 billion Elective Recovery Fund and £700 million targeted Investment Fund made available this year to increase capacity in elective services, including for cancer treatments.