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Faster Diagnoisis Standard (FDS)

MJCampbell
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Are hospitals held to account when FDS standards go completely out the window?

My husband, 68, of caribean heritage and a diabetic, is being checked for prostate cancer.  This has only come to light through a blood test carried out when vascular dementia was diagnoised.

He has never been called for a prostate check up...

A 2WW referal was made on the 20th August, MRI on 17th September, DR apt 29th September, biopsy 30th September.  The follow up appointment was chased today only to be told it will be within 4 weeks.  Two weeks to get the results (was told 3-4 days originally), 1 week for the doctors to meet and discuss and a further week for the appointment to be made.

This will add up to at least 63 days.

I've tried to explain the need to have a diagnois or hopefully not and we have to work alongside the dementia but it's falling on deaf ears.

Any suggestions on how we can push for this would be appreciated.

  • Hi MJCampbell and thank you for your post.

    I am sorry to hear about your situation and appreciate how difficult it is waiting for things to happen.

    NHS England has introduced a new target called the Faster Diagnosis Standard (FDS).

    The target is that you should wait no more than 2 months (62 days) between the date the hospital receives an urgent suspected cancer referral and the start of treatment.

    Although these targets are only guidelines and are not mandatory, hospitals can be held accountable through public reporting and performance management.

    Hospitals are struggling to meet cancer waiting targets due to staff shortages and the impact of winter pressures on the NHS. If you have not yet done so, it may be helpful to contact the hospital's Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) to inform them of any delays you may be experiencing. They should be able to look into your concerns. 

    It may also be a good idea to inform your GP about the waiting period.

    Please get back to us if you need any more information or support.  You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5 pm Monday to Friday.

    I hope you can get this sorted out soon. 

    All the best, take care.

    Tina

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