What are cancer waiting times?
The NHS in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland set out standards for how long someone should wait before being seen by a consultant. There are also standards for time to treatment. See our frequently asked questions for more information. These standards were updated in October 2023. There are now three cancer standards. These combine all of the previous standards.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about cancer waiting times
What is the faster diagnosis standard?
NHS England has a Cancer programme. This has developed a Faster Diagnosis Standard.
The standard makes sure that people who are referred for urgent cancer checks from a GP, a screening programme or somewhere else are:
- Diagnosed or
- Told they do not have cancer within 28 days.
The faster diagnosis standard applies to patients:
- Referred by their GP with suspected cancer
- Referred by their GP with breast symptoms where cancer is not initially suspected
- Referred by the national screening service with an abnormal result.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland do not have a Faster diagnosis standard.
What is the 62-day referral to treatment for cancer standard?
England
This standard says that patients should wait a maximum of 62 days to start treatment after an urgent referral for suspected cancer.
Scotland
This is called the local delivery plan standard. It says that all those referred with a suspicion of cancer are to begin treatment within 62 days of the receipt of referral.
Wales
The suspected cancer pathway is a Welsh government target. This makes sure that:
- Most patients have cancer diagnostic tests in a timely manner
- Patients start treatment within 62 days of the first point that cancer is suspected.
Northern Ireland
The target for cancer waiting times says that following an urgent referral for suspected cancer, treatment should begin treatment within 62 days.
What is the 31-day target?
England
This standard says that a patient should start treatment within 31 days from a decision being made to treat their cancer.
Scotland
This is called the local delivery plan standard. It says that patients diagnosed with cancer are to start treatment within 31 days of a decision to treat.
Wales
This is the cancer waiting times target. This says patients diagnosed with cancer should receive their first treatment within 31 days of a decision to treat.
Northern Ireland
This standard says that a patient should start treatment within 31 days from a decision being made to treat their cancer.
About this information
- This information was reviewed in January 2025. Date of next review: January 2026.
- References and bibliography available on request.
- If you want to reproduce this content, please see our Reproducing Our Content page.
