§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time is for the start of radiotherapy following diagnosis for cancer patients in each hospital trust in England; and what the average waiting time was in each of the last six years. [120378]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonInformation on waiting times for radiotherapy is not collected centrally. However, the National Health Service Cancer Plan set out maximum waiting time targets for first definitive cancer treatment, which could include radiotherapy. From December 2001, there was a one month maximum wait from diagnosis to first treatment for breast cancer and a one month wait from urgent general practitioner referral to first treatment for children's cancers, testicular cancer and acute leukaemia. From 2002, there is a maximum two month wait from urgent referral to treatment for breast cancer. By 2005, there will be a maximum two months from urgent referral to treatment and a maximum one-month wait from diagnosis to first treatment for all cancers. Performance data on current cancer waiting times targets are published on the Department's website at www.doh.gov.uk/cancerwaits