Introduction:

The information in the National Cancer Waiting Times Monitoring Data Set is required to provide details on cancer SERVICES in England. This enables the performance monitoring of Health Care Providers and Clinical Commissioning Groups in order to maintain and increase standards across England.

Cancer Waiting Times data relates to:

• the waiting time requirements outlined in the 'NHS Cancer Plan (2000)' and the 'Cancer Reform Strategy (2007)' and
• a performance standard that PATIENTS should wait no longer than 28 days from initial referral by a GENERAL PRACTITIONER to diagnosis or ruling out of cancer (the 28 Day Faster Diagnosis Standard) introduced by the Independent Cancer Taskforce, 'Achieving World-Class Cancer Outcomes'.

The 'Cancer Reform Strategy (2007)' introduced new and changed commitments in terms of service standards for cancer PATIENTS that must be met. A Review of Cancer Waiting Times Standards was carried out by the Department of Health and Social Care and published alongside 'Improving Outcomes: A Strategy for Cancer (2011)'.

The National Cancer Waiting Times Monitoring Data Set supports the continued management and monitoring of the following waiting times:

• A maximum two week wait from an urgent GENERAL PRACTITIONER referral for suspected cancer to DATE FIRST SEEN by a specialist for all suspected cancers
• A maximum 28 day wait from an urgent GENERAL PRACTITIONER referral for suspected cancer to having cancer either diagnosed or ruled out (CANCER FASTER DIAGNOSIS PATHWAY END DATE), or DECISION TO TREAT DATE, whichever comes first, for all suspected cancers
• A maximum 28 day wait from referral for breast symptoms (where cancer is not initially suspected) to having cancer either diagnosed or ruled out (CANCER FASTER DIAGNOSIS PATHWAY END DATE), or DECISION TO TREAT DATE, whichever comes first, for all suspected cancers
• A maximum 28 day wait from a referral to an Assessment CLINIC OR FACILITY following the identification of an abnormality by an NHS Cancer Screening Service to having cancer either diagnosed or ruled out (CANCER FASTER DIAGNOSIS PATHWAY END DATE), or DECISION TO TREAT DATE, whichever comes first, for all suspected cancers
• A maximum one month (31-day) wait from diagnosis (CANCER TREATMENT PERIOD START DATE) to First Definitive Treatment for all cancers
• A maximum two month (62-day) wait from urgent GENERAL PRACTITIONER referral for suspected cancer to First Definitive Treatment for all cancers
• A maximum one month (31-day) wait from urgent GENERAL PRACTITIONER referral for suspected cancer to First Definitive Treatment for children’s cancers, testicular cancers and acute leukaemia
• A maximum 62-day wait from referral from an NHS Cancer Screening Programme to First Definitive Treatment for all cancers
• A maximum 62-day wait from a CONSULTANTS decision to upgrade the urgency of a PATIENT they suspect to have cancer to First Definitive Treatment for all cancers
• A maximum 31-day wait for all subsequent treatments for new cases of primary and Recurrent Cancer where an Anti-Cancer Drug Regimen, surgery or Radiotherapy is the chosen CANCER TREATMENT MODALITY
• A maximum two week wait from referral for breast symptoms (where cancer is not initially suspected) to DATE FIRST SEEN.

Patient Pathway Scenarios:

The Patient Pathway Scenarios for the National Cancer Waiting Times Monitoring Data Set are to be used to manage the collection of data for all PATIENTS suspected of having, or diagnosed with cancer.

Transmission:

• Data can be transmitted to the Cancer Waiting Times System through any of three routes:
  • Bulk upload via an XML file
  • Bulk upload via a CSV file
  • Single record entry through the Cancer Waiting Times Submission portal
• The specification for CSV upload file is detailed in the ‘National Cancer Waiting Times User Manual’ available on the NHS Digital website
• Data for XML submission will be formatted into an XML file as per Technology Reference Data Update Distribution (TRUD) at: NHS Data Model and Dictionary: DD XML Schemas
• Once data is transmitted to the Cancer Waiting Times system it will undergo further validation. Details of this validation is available on the NHS Digital website at: Cancer Waiting Times.

Further guidance:

• Further guidance relating to the National Cancer Waiting Times Monitoring Data Set is available on the NHS Digital website at: Cancer Waiting Times.
• Queries regarding the National Cancer Waiting Times Monitoring Data Set should be addressed to england.cancerwaitsdata@nhs.net.