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Starting from 1 January 2009, we will change the basis for reporting waiting times data. We will widen the scope to cover the new standards that come into force on 1 January 2009 (as set out in last year’s Cancer Reform Strategy), and we will make collection simpler by not using clock pauses. This will bring cancer waiting times data in line with practice under the 18 weeks programme. The first set of data reported on this new basis and covering the extended waiting times standards will be published in the spring.
We have estimated the impact of the change in methodology on reported performance for the main standards (all cancers) using Q3 for comparison, ahead of the first set of data under the new methodology to be reported for Q4. This analysis is available at the following link:
Q3 2008/09 Impact Estimate
From Q2 2005-2006 onwards there has been a change in the way the referral to treatment figures are calculated at Trust level.
Where two NHS organisations (Cancer Unit and Cancer Centre) are involved in the care
of the patient this is taken into account by recording half the activity against the unit that initially sees the patient and half
against the centre that provides the first definitive treatment. In the past all the activity was recorded against the centre
that provided the first definitive treatment.
This change means that figures for Trusts on referral to treatment in Q1 2005-06 are not comparable with Q3 2005-06 figures.
However the National figures are still comparable.
The England figures are for all patients resident in the UK who were treated in English NHS Trusts. Responsibility for treating a small number of patients may be shared with Trusts within the devolved administrations. Whilst non-English Trusts are excluded from tables, activity in these Trusts has been included in the England figures.
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