HC Deb 12 February 2004 vol 417 cc1699-700W
Mr. Baron

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what statistics are collated on waiting times for breast cancer patients other than the two-week target for general practitioner urgent referral to first outpatient appointment. [152928]

Miss Melanie Johnson

[holding answer 5 February 2004]The primary purpose of the NHS Cancer Plan is to save more lives. Reducing waiting times is key to achieving this. For breast cancer, waiting times data is collected and published on: the two week outpatient waiting time standard from urgent general practitioner referral to seeing a specialist; and since 2001, a milestone of a maximum one month from diagnosis with breast cancer to first definitive treatment. From 2002 data has been collected on the further milestone of a maximum two months from urgent general practitioner referral with suspected breast cancer to first definitive treatment. We have made significant progress on both counts. Data on achievement of NHS Cancer Plan waiting times targets are published on the Department's website for strategic health authorities and trusts, at http://www. dh.gov.uk/cancerwaits