Abstract
Objective: The NHS Cancer Plan sets out a 2-week maximum wait for out-patient appointments for suspected cancers. The NHS Improvement Plan sets an 18-week limit from referral to treatment for noncancer cases. Research on evaluation of adherence to these targets is lacking, and we therefore present data to address this issue.
Method: An audit was performed at a local GP practice over a 4-month period. EMIS database was used to retrieve correspondence with commissioned ENT services. Date of referral, clinic attendance, type of investigations, and date of first definitive treatment were observed. Standards for the 2-week and 18-week target are both 100%.
Results: n = 31.97% (30/31) were compliant with the “2-week rule.” Only 42% (13/31) were compliant with the 18-week pathway. Of the cases that breached the 18-week pathway, 56% (10/18) were pending clinic, 33% (6/18) investigations and 11% (2/18) treatment.
Conclusion: Despite extensive frameworks formulated by the Department of Health for tackling waiting times, our data suggest that the local ENT services are not in compliance with the 2-week or 18-week standards. There is need for wider debate and national review.
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