A NUMBER of cancer targets are being missed across the Bradford district, analysis of NHS data has revealed.

Figures for August from NHS England show that 82 per cent of patients in the Bradford City clinical commissioning group (CCG) area received their first cancer treatment within 62 days of an urgent GP referral. That's down from 88 per cent in August last year.

The NHS has a target for 85 per cent of all referrals to start treatment within two months.

In the Bradford Districts CCG area that figure stood at 83 per cent, but that was a jump from 61 per cent on the same time last year.

The picture is different in the Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven CCG area, where 88 per cent of patients received their first treatment within 62 days - up from 82 per cent last year.

Meanwhile, in the City CCG, 95 per cent of patients had their first consultant appointment within two weeks, meeting the 93 per cent target, but 75 per cent had cancer-related surgery within a month - a way off the 94 per cent target.

In Districts CCG, 90 per cent of patients had their first consultant appointment within two weeks, missing the target, while 96 per cent had cancer-related surgery within a month, meeting the 94 per cent target.

In Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven, 82 per cent of patients had their first consultant appointment within two weeks, but all patients had their cancer-related surgery within a month.

Dr Ian Fenwick, clinical lead for cancer for Bradford district and Craven clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), said: "We remain focussed on improving cancer pathways and treatment outcomes for everyone living in the Bradford district and Craven area.

“In response to the challenges faced, the CCGs continue to work with our providers to develop and enhance cancer services. Some of this work focuses on raising awareness of cancer symptoms and encouraging people to take up cancer screening opportunities to help detect cancers early, which leads to improving survival rates and quality of life. The 14 community partnerships will help strengthen this work as they develop their own plans to engage and involve people in a way that best suits their population.

“In partnership with all our local health and care stakeholders including local authorities, hospital trusts, the voluntary and community sector and local charities, we are developing a new cancer strategy to cover Bradford district and Craven."

He added: “The strategy will focus on all aspects of cancer treatment starting with prevention and early diagnosis. It will also include plans for treatment, living with and beyond cancer, palliative and end of life care.

“Action plans will be developed in collaboration with all our partners to ensure any issues are addressed and we will explore where improvements can be made.

“We are also working with West Yorkshire and Harrogate Cancer Alliance to tackle cancer across our region; placing more emphasis on prevention by improving lifestyle choices and improving cancer treatment pathways.

"The Alliance is investing in earlier diagnosis, new treatment and better support services to help people live well beyond their cancer diagnosis.”