New analysis shows the concerning extent of Bedfordshire’s cancer wait times

New research from the House of Commons Library, commissioned by the Liberal Democrats has shown huge disparities in cancer care across England revealing a crisis in Bedfordshire.

The headlines from the research show:

• This winter, from November 2021 to February 2022 over 2,500 patients in Bedfordshire waited longer than two weeks to see a consultant after an urgent referral from their GP.
• In Bedfordshire, over 3,000 waited longer than 28 days to get a cancer diagnosis from a specialist after an urgent referral from their GP.
• Even more worryingly almost 400 waited two months or more to start cancer treatment after a referral.

Nationally, this winter, from November 2021 to February 2022 almost 195,000 patients waited longer than two weeks to see a consultant after an urgent referral from their GP. The NHS target is for 93% of patients to be seen within this time but across England nearly a quarter of people didn't see a consultant for that urgent appointment. The Liberal Democrats are calling for the Government to hire more staff, especially specialist cancer nurses. The party is also calling for a comprehensive strategy to ensure all those who have been left behind are offered timely cancer diagnosis and treatment and that targets be met as soon as possible.

Commenting on cancer waiting times in Bedfordshire, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Health, Councillor Dean Crofts said "The Government has been driving our local health services into the ground and taking patients for granted for years, our residents deserve better. Delays to cancer diagnoses and treatments are incredibly distressing for those with cancer and those who fear they may have it.

"This Conservative Government has its head in the sand over staff shortages and no real plan to fix it, there must be action to fix this concerning problem. They must get a handle on this crisis so cancer patients get the urgent care they need to give them the best chance of survival and recovery."