18/05/2017 - Permalink

Ensuring the best experience for patients being treated for cancer

Related topics: Health

News from our partners Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH)

The trust which runs Shropshire’s two acute hospitals hit all of its performance targets for cancer waiting times in 2016/2017, figures revealed yesterday (Wednesday 17 May 2017).

The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH), which runs the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford, hit all of the targets despite the great demand on its services.

Dr Sheena Khanduri, Lead Clinician for Cancer Services, said:

“We really can’t underestimate what a huge achievement this is, and I hope it will reassure anyone referred to our hospitals with a suspected cancer diagnosis that they will receive prompt, effective, patient-centred care from staff who ensure our patients are at the heart of all they do.”

During 2016/17, 85.9% of patients received their first treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral (the target is 85%). GPs referred more than 20,000 patients with a suspected cancer diagnosis to SaTH during 2016/17, with 94.2% of these patients being seen with the two week wait standard of 93%. Furthermore, 95% of patients who required treatment for cancer following referral from a National Screening Programme were treated within the 90% target, while the majority of patients who needed chemotherapy (98%) or radiotherapy (94%) as a second or subsequent treatment received their treatment within the 31-day decision to treat to treatment target.

Kathryn Poli, Cancer Performance Manager at SaTH, said:

“The Cancer Services Team works closely with colleagues to ensure all patients have access to timely cancer care at every stage of their treatment.

“To have hit all the targets is a fantastic achievement and our staff are to be congratulated for making it happen

“We will continue to work hard to maintain these standards while also striving to make further improvement in the future. The priority going forward is to continue hitting the target while also eradicating delays linked to capacity and reducing the number of patients treated after 104 days.”

Further information

  • The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust is the main provider of acute hospital care for almost 500,000 people from Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and mid Wales. Patients come to us from Telford, Shrewsbury, Ludlow, Oswestry, Bridgnorth, Whitchurch, Newtown and Welshpool in Powys.
  • The Trust continues to work with its partners in health and social care in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and mid Wales to develop patient-focused services that meet the needs of our communities.
  • If you have any feedback about local healthcare, independent support and signposting is available from Healthwatch Shropshire, Healthwatch Telford and Wrekin and Powys Community Health Council (CHC):

For more information about the Organ Donation and Transplantation Activity Report, please contact the NHS Blood and Transplant Press Office via pressoffice@nhsbt.nhs.uk or 01923 367600.  For out of hours enquiries please call: 0117 969 2444.