This idea was created by the Scrutinise team as a policy development prompt. It represents a live policy debate with substantial public evidence. Any registered user can contribute to it, and ownership can be transferred to any organisation or individual who wishes to champion it.
A Statutory NHS Diagnostic Waiting Time Guarantee
The Darzi Review (2024) found that diagnostic delays are the primary driver of the NHS treatment backlog. This proposal creates a statutory 28-day diagnostic guarantee for cancer and cardiac pathways, following the model of the existing 18-week treatment standard.
Summary
The Darzi Review (2024) found that diagnostic delays are the primary driver of the NHS treatment backlog. This proposal creates a statutory 28-day diagnostic guarantee for cancer and cardiac pathways, following the model of the existing 18-week treatment standard.
Challenge (summary)
Patients waiting for cancer or cardiac diagnoses face delays of months, during which conditions deteriorate and treatment options narrow. The NHS has no statutory diagnostic waiting time standard equivalent to the 18-week treatment standard.
Approach (summary)
A statutory 28-day Faster Diagnosis Standard for cancer and cardiac pathways, enforceable by NHS England, with a published accountability mechanism and a diagnostic workforce expansion plan backed by multi-year capital investment.
First step (summary)
Amend the National Health Service Act 2006 to create a statutory diagnostic waiting time standard for cancer and cardiac pathways, with NHS England required to publish quarterly performance data by trust and pathway.