Healthwatch Kent comments on the BBC story about Cancer waiting times

Response - 13 June 2019

The BBC has today published figures about waiting times for cancer treatment. The national target for hospitals is that patients are treated within 62 days after being referred by their GP.

Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust treated 61% of patients within the 62 day target according to the figures published today.  East Kent Hospitals treated 70.7% of patients within the target and Darent Valley Hospital were in the top ten in the country at 89.5% of patients within the 62 days.

Steve Inett, Healthwatch Kent said:

"The figures released today by the BBC show great variation across Kent in the length of time patients are waiting for cancer treatment.  This is clearly going to worry people, but we know that the health system across Kent is working hard to improve cancer services.  We regularly visit the hospitals and talk to oncology patients who tell us very positive stories about the care that they receive.

"As the independent voice for patients, we would encourage you to continue to share your experience of cancer services with us. With your stories we can work to improve cancer services."