Diagnostic and Cancer Waiting Times data for May 2023

Responding to May’s Diagnostic Waiting Times data for England, Dr Katharine Halliday, President of The Royal College of Radiologists, said:

“This data shows what we doctors see every day – services are chronically overwhelmed and struggling to provide timely treatment and care for patients.

“For the second month in a row, we’re seeing the worst ever radiotherapy waiting times. Performance against several cancer targets is among the worst we’ve seen, and we are making slow progress on clearing the diagnostic backlog. Patients deserve better.

“We know from our census that staff shortages are having a huge impact. 88% of cancer leaders are worried that shortages have led to decreased quality of patient care. Patients are also having to wait unacceptably long just to be diagnosed – linked to the UK’s 29% shortfall in radiologists, the doctors who interpret diagnostic scans. 

“The Government’s recent commitment to expanding the workforce is welcome, but this plan will unfortunately not reduce waiting lists in the short term. We need further action to support patients today – including making more of the capacity we have and encouraging our highly trained staff to stay working in the system.”