Two-Week Wait
Two-Week Wait
A term of art referring to the so-called cancer targets in the UK, created in the wake of the Calman Hine report, which set time frames within which patients are to be seen by an oncologist after being referred by their GP.Pre-2009, all patients referred by their GP for suspected cancer were to have their first appointment within 14 calendar days or less. The target countdown began the moment the GP referred the patient, rather than when the referral was received. Legitimate adjustments could be made to the 14-day pathway as a result of patient choice or patient non-attendance. Post-2009, the Two-Week Wait standard “clock” starts when the referral is received. However, while adjustments can be made for patient non-attendance (did not attend—DNA), no adjustments can be made in relation to patient choice—i.e., if an appointment is offered within the required 14-day period and the patient declines/defers that appointment to a date after the 14-day deadline, legitimate adjustments to the pathway cannot be applied and the patient will “breach” that target.