Cancer and diagnostic waiting times for December 2024

Diagnostic waiting times

In December 2024, 15.7% of patients waited over 6 weeks for a CT or MRI scan, equivalent to over 73,000 people. This is an increase compared to November, whereby 13.2% of patients waited over 6 weeks, likely a result of winter pressures. 

To clear the 6-week backlog within one month, the NHS would need to hire an additional 346 radiologists overnight, equivalent to a 10% increase in the workforce.

Cancer waiting times

62-day wait from referral to treatment 

In December 2024, 71% of patients started their cancer treatment within two months of an urgent referral. This is compared to 69% in November 2024, showing slow but important progress. The NHS’ interim target is to for 75% of patients to start treatment within two months by March 2026. 

In 2024, over 132,000 patients started their cancer treatment too late. Bringing this figure down should be an urgent priority for the government over the next year. 

28 day Faster Diagnosis Standard

In December 2024, 78% of patients were told their cancer diagnosis outcome within 28 days of an urgent referral. The NHS’ interim target is to reach 80% by March 2026, which feels achievable considering recent progress. Nonetheless, over 53,000 patients still waited over a month for their cancer diagnosis outcome, showing there is still need for action.   

31-day wait for treatment 

In December 2024, 92% of patients started treatment within 31 days of an oncologists’ decision to treat, against a national target of 96%. For patients waiting to start radiotherapy, this figure drops to 87% of patients waiting over a month following the decision to treat being confirmed.