Hartlepool hospital's cancer treatment record during virus crisis

NHS England figures show 34 of the 37 urological cancer patients at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust between April and July started treatment within the target time of 62 days of an urgent GP referral.

This means 95% of patient at North Tees and Hartlepool Trust – which runs The University Hospital of Hartlepool – were treated within two months, up from 64% during the same period last year.

This year's figures meet the NHS target of treating 85% of urological cancer patients – which includes those with prostate, bladder, kidney and penile cancers – within the time limit.

The North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust’s record of providing treatment for 91% of all cancer patients within 62 days in July was significantly higher than the national average of 78%.

Prostate Cancer UK said it is critical that men most at risk of their cancer progressing are prioritised for treatment while NHS services work to restore their normal service.

Karen Stalbow, head of policy at the charity, said: “It’s good news that waiting times for urological referrals are beginning to recover.

“We know that clinicians now need to balance a man’s prostate cancer risk with his risk of contracting Covid-19. Cancer services are also operating at reduced capacity because of the need to socially distance patients.”

Sara Bainbridge, head of policy at Macmillan Cancer Support, said the charity fears a "worrying backlog" of patients is building up.

She said: “Behind each statistic is a real person whose prognosis and treatment options could be severely impacted by disruption during Covid-19.

"It's vital that people see their GP if they have symptoms, and anyone who is worried about cancer needs to know that they'll be seen promptly and safely."

An NHS spokeswoman said: “Hospitals have successfully treated nearly 38,000 men for urological cancer since the beginning of the pandemic, and more people are now coming forward for a cancer check, with 100,000 extra referrals in July compared to April.

"The key point remains that anyone worried about a possible symptom should contact their GP to get checked.”