Thirty-One-Day Target: All Other Subsequent Treatment Types

Thirty-One-Day Target: All Other Subsequent Treatment Types

A new cancer target (standard) promulgated by the NHS as of 2011, which requires that all (subsequent) cancer treatments (i.e., not just surgery and drug therapy) are subject to a 31-day standard (target—i.e., every new and subsequent treatment, including radiotherapy, must be delivered within 31 days of a decision-to-treat date, or an “earliest clinically appropriate date”). As with the post-2009 targets, the cancer care team cannot adjust for patient non-attendance (did not attend—DNA), patient cancellation or medical suspension. Pauses (“stopping the clock”) are only allowed for patients being treated electively (i.e., as an inpatient or day case).