Hospitals across Birmingham have recorded a second consecutive month of improved performance in delivering timely cancer treatment to patients, marking a significant positive trend.
Sustained Improvement in Key Cancer Target
The board of the University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB) NHS Foundation Trust received a report showing continued progress against the crucial '62-day performance' standard. This metric measures the percentage of patients who begin their first treatment for cancer within 62 days of an urgent referral.
The data revealed that the trust achieved 64.1% in August 2025, narrowly exceeding its target of 64%. This follows a successful performance in July, where it reached 62.4% against a 61% goal.
Perhaps more strikingly, the trust's performance has surged by almost 15 percentage points compared to the same period last year, rising from 49.7% in 2024.
Oversight and Targeted Action
This improvement comes after UHB was earlier this year placed into NHS England's Tier 1 for cancer support. This designation indicates the highest level of national oversight and is applied to trusts facing the greatest challenges in this area.
In response, a dedicated UHB Cancer Board was established to drive trust-wide improvements. This board, along with specialist task groups, continues to meet weekly to monitor progress and address bottlenecks.
The report highlighted that performance gains were seen at both the Good Hope and Queen Elizabeth Hospital sites, with the Queen Elizabeth site achieving the highest rate at 69.1%.
Focus on Challenged Specialties
Specific focus has been placed on specialties where meeting the target has been most difficult. The trust has developed detailed plans and capacity models for:
- Gynaecology
- Head and Neck
- Urology
- Colorectal and Upper GI
Weekly 'Task and Finish' and assurance meetings are held specifically for these areas to maintain momentum.
A "Positive Trajectory" for Patients
Commenting on the results at the board meeting, Chief Operating Officer Iain Pickles said: "Over the past year, BSOL has improved the proportion of patients treated within 62 days by 15 per cent. That is the second most in the country so we are seeing a really positive improvement trajectory for cancer patients."
While the trust remains in Tier 1 for the 2025/26 period, the consecutive months of meeting and exceeding targets suggest the intensive support and focused action plans are beginning to yield tangible benefits for patients awaiting vital cancer care in the Birmingham region.
