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Almost half of all NHS trusts in England missed a crucial two-week cancer diagnosis target in every month last year, new data has revealed.

NHS targets state that 93% of patients should have an appointment with a cancer specialist within two weeks of an urgent GP referral.

But new research commissioned by the Liberal Democrats has revealed this target was missed by 63 of 132 (48%) of NHS trusts in England in every single month of 2022.

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Analysis of figures provided by the House of Commons Library also showed that only five NHS trusts, making up less than 4% of the total, met the target in every month of last year.

While at the worst performing trusts in December 2022, fewer than half of patients were seen within the two-week target after an urgent GP referral.

The worst was University Hospital Bristol and Weston where just 42% of patients were seen within two weeks.

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This was followed by Whittington Health (45%), Liverpool University Hospitals (48%) and North West Anglia (49%).

The two-week wait appointment system was introduced so that anyone with symptoms that might indicate cancer could be seen by a specialist as quickly as possible.

The NHS website says attending this appointment within two weeks is vitally important and will allow an individual with symptoms to benefit from early reassurance that cancer has not been diagnosed or an early diagnosis and earlier access to treatment.

The Liberal Democrats warned that targets are being “routinely missed” and said the new research has exposed “shocking gaps in cancer care”.

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Key target for waiting times on cancer treatment missed in 98% of NHS England areas

The party’s health spokesperson Daisy Cooper said: “It is a national scandal that crucial targets are being routinely missed, leaving many people waiting anxiously for a cancer diagnosis.

“It shows there are shocking gaps in cancer care depending on where you live in the country.

“The evidence tells us how critical a speedy diagnosis can be. The government must get a grip on this crisis so cancer patients get the urgent care they need to give them the best chance of survival.

“That must start with a proper plan to recruit the NHS staff the health service so desperately needs.”

Back in December, it was revealed that a record number of people with suspected cancer are being referred by their GPs to specialists – but the NHS has not been able to keep up with increased demand.

More than two and a half million people in England were referred for suspected cancer in the year to April 2022, 300,000 more than the previous record set two years ago and more than double the amount from 10 years ago.

But the number of exploratory tests which typically confirm or rule out a cancer diagnosis are down on pre-pandemic levels and in some cases the lowest since records began in 2009.

NHS data published in November showed that in September more than one in four people had to wait over two weeks to see a cancer specialist after being urgently referred by their GP – almost four times more than the NHS target.

A Department for Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “The latest NHS data shows a higher percentage of people with suspected cancer were seen within the 2 week wait standard in December compared to November.

“We are working to reduce the 62 day cancer backlog – which latest published figures show has fallen 9% since peaking in 2020 – but we know there is more to do.

“We are determined to reduce the time between cancer referral and consultation and have opened 92 community diagnostic centres that have delivered over 3 million tests scans and checks, including to detect cancer as early as possible.”

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‘Multi-hazard storm’ to hit on New Year’s Day with snow, wind and rain warnings in place

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'Multi-hazard storm' to hit on New Year's Day with snow, wind and rain warnings in place

Weather warnings are in place for snow, wind and rain across much of the UK on New Year’s Day. 

The start of 2025 will bring a “multi-hazard storm, combining severe gales, heavy rain and possibly significant snow as the rain runs into cold air,” said Sky News meteorologist Christopher England.

Pic: Met Office
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Pic: Met Office

The most significant snowfall on New Year’s Day will be from Donegal, across Northern Ireland and into the north of England and south of Scotland.

The wind looks strongest in the south, Mr England added, where 60mph winds are possible inland and 80mph gusts around the coasts of the Irish Sea.

The stormy weather continues on 2 January, with the Met Office issuing yellow weather warnings across England, Wales and parts of Scotland.

The UK has faced widespread disruption over the last few days, as thick fog descended.

Tens of thousands of passengers had flights delayed or cancelled, while drivers were warned about dangerous conditions with poor visibility.

Revellers are also set for a “wet and rather windy” New Year’s Eve, with the potential for a snowy Hogmanay in Scotland.

There could be some “possibly disruptive weather” on 31 December, Met Office meteorologist Simon Partridge said, with Scotland likely to see the worst of it.

The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for winds of up to 70mph that may cause travel disruption on New Year’s Eve.

The alert, in place from 7am until 11pm on Tuesday, covers most of Northern Ireland as well as north of York in England up to Glasgow, Edinburgh and Greenock.

The forecaster also warned that delays to transport are likely, with gusts of up to 60mph expected in most areas.

Those affected should check road conditions for driving and the latest travel information as well as preparing for in advance for potential power cuts.

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Seven people arrested after 18-year-old stabbed to death

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Seven people arrested after 18-year-old stabbed to death

Six teenagers and a 52-year-old man have been arrested after an 18-year-old was stabbed to death in Ilkeston, Derbyshire.

Four 17-year-old boys have been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Two girls aged 15 and 16 have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, as has a man, 52.

Police were called to reports a man had been stabbed on Rose Avenue on Saturday evening.

They found the victim on nearby Heanor Road with a stab wound but despite the efforts of the emergency services, he was pronounced dead at the scene just before 9pm.

“The investigation is very much in its early stages and we are urging anyone with information that may assist with our inquiries to contact us as a matter of urgency,” said Detective Chief Inspector Claudia Musson.

The teenager’s family have been made aware and are being assisted by specially trained officers.

The murder probe is being led by the East Midlands special operations unit.

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Police are particularly keen to hear from people with CCTV or doorbell footage and any dashcam footage between the times of 7pm and 9pm in the areas of Heanor Road, Rose Avenue, Summerfields Way, Kedleston Drive and Peveril Drive.

Anyone with any information has been asked to contact Derbyshire Police quoting incident number 940 of December 28.

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Meet the last man standing on UK’s loneliest housing estate

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Meet the last man standing on UK's loneliest housing estate

A pensioner who is refusing to leave what’s being branded Britain’s loneliest housing estate has told Sky News he is facing bullying and intimidation tactics to force him out.

Nick Wisniewski’s ex-council flat in Wishaw, North Lanarkshire is set to be demolished because the local authority wants to redevelop the area, which has become a derelict eyesore.

The vast area on the outskirts of Glasgow used to have almost 1,000 properties, but slowly the bulldozers have moved in, creating huge mounds of rubble where homes once stood.

The land is overgrown, with all remaining properties boarded up – apart from the retired bank worker’s home, which demolition teams have been unable to touch as he refuses to budge.

Nick Wisniewski says he is facing bullying and intimidation tactics to force him out of his home
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Nick Wisniewski claims he is being bullied to leave his home

Rubble where homes once stood
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Rubble where homes on the estate once stood

‘They’ll basically need to drag me out’

The 68-year-old, whose neighbours were all rehomed in 2023, bought the flat in 2017 under the discounted right-to-buy scheme and is now mortgage-free.

He told Sky News he rejected an initial offer from North Lanarkshire Council of £35,000 plus two year’s rent as it would not be enough to buy a new place.

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Contemplating a time in the future when he is forced out, he said: “By law they can smash my door down, they can come in here, manhandle me to get me out. That’s the law, and they’ll basically need to drag me out.”

Asked if he is prepared to go to that length to stop himself being removed, he said: “I am hoping it doesn’t come to that, but if it does then so be it.”

He reveals a compulsory purchase order process is now under way.

A compulsory purchase order is the legal power given to a local council to buy a property without the owner’s consent.

The legal battle will now be resolved by the Scottish government in due course.

The local authority wants to redevelop the area, which has become a derelict eyesore
Image:
There used to be almost a thousand properties on the estate


Rubble where homes once stood

He said: “It’s been all intimidation, bullying, lies. They offered me £40,000 over a year ago. I thought they’d have offered me a wee bit more. I would accept, probably, £60,000.

“They had a meeting a couple of weeks ago saying that they are starting legal, which means compulsory purchase order.

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“There’s so many stages to that and it’ll take a while for that to come in to force.”

There used to be almost 1000 properties on the estate

North Lanarkshire Council told Sky News it “completely refutes” any allegations of bullying or intimidation.

A spokesman said: “We are continuing to try and engage with the remaining resident and our focus is on progressing our ambitious plans to transform this area of Gowkthrapple for the benefit of the local community.”

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