Manx Care cancer treatment delays under scrutiny

Health minister revealed key standards missed amid staffing shortages and referral issues

Manx Care is struggling to meet key cancer treatment targets, the health minister has confirmed, following a written Tynwald question from Ramsey MHK Lawrie Hooper.

Ms Christian revealed that Manx Care has consistently missed the 62-day referral-to-treatment standard, which requires 85 percent of patients to begin treatment within 62 days of a suspected cancer referral.

In December 2024, only 44 percent of patients were treated within this timeframe.

The ‘Faster Diagnosis Standard’, which mandates that 75 percent of patients receive a diagnosis or ruling out of cancer within 28 days, has also been missed, with December’s rate at 64 percent.

Meanwhile, the 31-day standard - ensuring 96 percent of patients begin treatment within 31 days of a decision to treat - fell to 75 percent in November and 77 percent in December after an eight-month period of around 90 percent compliance.

The minister attributed these delays to a range of issues, including the absence of a full-time Consultant Breast Radiologist since June 2024, which has significantly impacted breast cancer diagnostics.

Locum cover was temporarily in place from October to December, but a long-term solution remains challenging.

Ms Christian acknowledged that breast cancer referrals account for about one-fifth of all suspected cases, exacerbating the overall delays.

The Isle of Man’s prostate cancer diagnostic pathway also does not align with NHS-recommended guidelines, meaning patients often face delays.

Manx Care is believed to be reviewing the pathway and has explored best practices from cancer services in Liverpool, with a key recommendation being to allow more direct access to MRI scans without an initial outpatient appointment.

Further challenges include limited locum availability, staffing constraints, and delays caused by incomplete or inappropriate referrals from GPs.

Measures set out to address the issues include educational sessions for primary care clinicians, revised referral forms, and improved communication through patient tracking meetings.

Ms Christian writes: “The Department and Manx Care are committed to reducing waiting times for the diagnosis and treatment of all forms of cancer, and performance against the standards described above 3 continues to be monitored closely.”

Cancer service performance was a focus of a departmental meeting in October 2024, and Manx Care is expected to provide updates on remedial actions at ongoing Monthly Development Group meetings.