PATIENTS in and around Cheshire are being seen and treated for suspected cancer faster than the national average, according to the latest figures published by NHS England.

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (MCHFT), which manages Leighton Hospital in Crewe, has been named as one of the country’s leading Trusts in terms of the proportion of cancer patients seen and treated within the expected time frames.

In the first three months of 2017/18 (April-June), 96.65 per cent of patients who were referred to hospital by their GP with suspected cancer were seen, diagnosed and started to receive treatment within 62 days.

In comparison, the national average for the same period was 81.5 per cent against an NHS England expectation of 85 per cent.

The Trust also performed better than the national average for the percentage of patients who see a specialist within two weeks of an urgent GP referral (97.4 per cent against an average of 93.7 per cent) and the percentage of patients who begin their first definitive treatment within 31 days of receiving their diagnosis (99.63 per cent against an average of 97.5 per cent).

Delyth Owen, clinical nurse manager for Cancer Services at MCHFT, said: “Early diagnosis is vital in the treatment of cancer and these latest figures prove that we are able to see and treat our patients promptly and faster than most other hospitals in the country.

“Not only can the local community be assured that they will be seen quickly if they have a suspected cancer, but that this positive performance isn’t just a one-off – we consistently exceed the national standard for waiting times.”

The Trust, which also manages Victoria Infirmary in Northwich and Elmhurst Intermediate Care Centre in Winsford, has also scored better than the national average in a recent cancer patient survey.

The National Cancer Patient Experience Survey is designed to monitor national progress on cancer care and is completed by adult NHS patients with a confirmed primary diagnosis of cancer.

Delyth said: “The survey’s 2016 results were published last month and we are delighted with them.

“On average, our patients rated their overall cancer care as 8.9 out of 10, compared to the national average of 8.74.

“Together, our survey results and cancer performance figures reflect the dedicated and compassionate staff who deliver local cancer care. There are always areas where we can do better, however, and so we will be using information from the survey to help drive further improvements.”