Oncology & genetics for surgeons: a free FRCS (Gen Surg) Section 1 question

The principle is that the standards now measure what matters to the patient, a timely answer and timely treatment, not the first appointment. Since October 2023 NHS England has used three standards: the 28-day Faster Diagnosis Standard, by which a patient referred urgently or from screening should have cancer diagnosed or ruled out and be told; a 31-day standard from the decision to treat to the first treatment; and a 62-day standard from urgent referral, screening or consultant upgrade to the first treatment. The two-week-wait standard for first being seen was retired at the same time, although the term persists in clinical speech. Seven days is not a national standard. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland publish their own. Reference: NHS England, Changes to cancer waiting times standards from 1 October 2023.