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<p>We are seeing continued high levels of urgent cancer referrals, with over 12,000
urgent referrals seen for suspected cancer per working day in March 2024, compared
to approximately 9,000 in March 2019. In March 2023, 89.7% of patients received a
first or subsequent radiotherapy treatment within 31 days of a decision to treat,
which is 0.6% higher than last year. From March 2023/24, 127,336 people received a
first or subsequent radiotherapy treatment, which is 1,359 more than the previous
year.</p><p>The Government continues to work with NHS England on implementing the
Delivery plan for tackling the COVID-19 backlog of elective care, and plans to spend
more than £8 billion from 2022/23 to 2024/25 to help drive up and protect elective
activity, including cancer diagnosis and treatment activity.</p><p>We are building
our cancer workforce. In January 2024 there were over 35,200 full-time equivalent
(FTE) staff in the cancer workforce, an increase of over 13,300, or 60.7% since January
2010. This includes over 8,100 FTE consultants in January 2024, an increase of over
3,300, or 69.6% since January 2010.</p><p>Since 2016, the Department has invested
£162 million into cutting-edge radiotherapy equipment to replace or upgrade more than
100 radiotherapy treatment machines, so we can deliver the best possible outcomes
for patients. From April 2022, the responsibility for investing in new radiotherapy
machines sits with local systems.</p>
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