Head of medical negligence at Blackwater Law, Jason Brady was successful in securing compensation for our client, after suffering life-changing injuries.
Posted on 3rd September 2025
Delays in cancer diagnosis and treatment continue to affect patients across England, with new NHS data showing that thousands of people are still waiting beyond official standards.
At Blackwater Law, our medical negligence solicitors are warning that these delays can have devastating consequences and, in some cases, may amount to medical negligence.
Four-Week Standard: Patients Waiting for Answers
The NHS sets a standard that patients referred urgently for suspected cancer should be told within 28 days whether they have cancer or whether it has been excluded.
However, the figures reveal that this target is being missed for hundreds of thousands of patients:
- 552,331 patients waited beyond the 28-day standard in 2021
- Rising sharply to 857,503 in 2022
- Still high in 2023 (853,792) and 2024 (774,756)
- Already 377,001 patients outside standard in just the first six months of 2025
Although 2025’s numbers may appear lower at first glance, they only cover half the year. If the trend continues, the total will once again be in the hundreds of thousands.
“Behind every statistic is a real person left in limbo living with fear, uncertainty, and often worsening symptoms while they wait for answers,” said Jason Brady, Partner and Head of Medical Negligence at Blackwater Law.
One-Month Standard: Treatment Delayed After Diagnosis
Once a decision has been made to treat cancer, patients should begin treatment within 31 days. Yet thousands continue to wait longer:
- 36,563 patients outside standard in 2022
- 61,420 in 2023
- 60,953 in 2024
- 30,220 already in the first half of 2025
These figures highlight that delays don’t stop at diagnosis, patients are being left in pain, with their cancer potentially progressing while they wait.
Two-Month Standard: The Most Critical Delay
The most concerning figures relate to the 62-day standard. This requires that patients referred urgently with suspected cancer should begin treatment within two months.
- 68,034 patients waited too long in 2022
- 100,458 in 2023
- 105,544 in 2024
- 52,104 already in the first half of 2025
Quarterly data shows that only around 65–69% of patients are being treated within the required timeframe, well below the NHS target of 85%.
For patients, this is not just a missed target. Every week of delay can allow a cancer to spread, turning treatable cases into life-threatening ones, and reducing the effectiveness of treatment.
Why These Delays Matter
Timely diagnosis and treatment are critical in cancer care. Delays can mean:
- Patients needing more invasive or aggressive treatment
- Reduced survival rates due to progression of the disease
- Avoidable pain, anxiety, and suffering for patients and their families
At Blackwater Law, we often hear from patients who feel their cancer care was compromised because of avoidable delays. If the delay pushed care outside NHS standards and caused harm, this may amount to medical negligence.
Could You Have a Claim?
You may be able to bring a medical negligence claim if you or a loved one:
- Waited longer than the NHS target for a cancer diagnosis or treatment, and
- Suffered harm because of that delay.
Our experienced solicitors at Blackwater Law are here to support you. We offer free initial advice to help you understand whether you may have grounds for a claim.
Call us today on 0800 083 550, or visit Blackwater Law to learn more.
