Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Trust has been revealed as the top performer in the country for meeting the key NHS waiting time target for cancer care, analysis by the BBC has shown.

It is just three Trusts out of the 121 in England that are treating cancer patients quickly enough, according to the report, which is within 62 days of an urgent referral.

Calderdale and Huddersfield, East and North Hertfordshire and Bolton NHS Trusts are the only ones in the country meeting the target, with Calderdale and Huddersfield ranked top, exceeding the standard required all three key targets of a 28-day diagnosis waiting time, a 31-day treatment waiting time and a 62-day total waiting time.

Gemma Berriman, Chief Operating Officer, Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It is fantastic to see our Trust as number one in the country for cancer performance. It is with thanks to the teamwork of our colleagues, and the initiatives they have brought in together, that means that for several months now, we have been consistently giving our patients a prompt diagnosis, quick treatment, and the right ongoing support.

placeholder image — Calderdale Royal Hospital, Halifax

“We know that waiting for a cancer diagnosis and going through treatment isn’t easy, so the focus for us is always on our patients and their experience. Just some of the things we have done include bringing in straight to test initiatives, so patients are diagnosed quicker, and offering diagnostic tests in our Community Diagnostic Centre which means people can be seen outside of hospital, closer to home.

“Lots of work also happens behind the scenes with the systems we use to help our colleagues keep track of where each patient is on their cancer journey, which is leading to better, more coordinated care for our patients.”