Increase in cancer patients waiting more than 14 days to see doctor

Manx Care sees 'considerable reduction in performance' in meeting the two-week target

There's been a 'considerable reduction' in the number of cancer patients having their first appointment within two weeks of referral.

Manx Care's Director of Operations Oliver Radford confirmed three areas saw waiting times increase in September at the organisation's board meeting this morning.

However, a spokesperson for Manx Care has confirmed the percentage of patients being seen within the 14-day target has recovered in October.

Figures up to the end of September show 93% of patients across all cancer specialities met with a doctor within two weeks.

Newly-diagnosed cancer patients should be seen within 14 days, but the number meeting this target in breast, colorectal and dermatology had fallen in September.

Mr Radford says work is already underway to reverse the trend, particularly in the breast clinic: