Suspected cancer pathway data is measured by patient pathways rather than unique patients. This is because a single patient can have multiple cancer pathways opened if cancer is suspected in more than one tumour site. When quality assuring open pathway data for October, November and December 2021, it was estimated that the number of pathways opened is approximately 2-3% higher than the number of unique patients who were suspected of having cancer. Open pathway data collected through the NDR method is broadly similar to the previous aggregate data collection, however direct comparisons should not be made between the two sources because the previous method is known to contain many duplicate pathways. This means that the number of pathways opened in months prior to December 2021 should not be directly compared to data from December 2021 onwards.
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Title
Suspected cancer pathway (open pathways): The number of patient pathways opened on the suspected cancer pathway by local health board, tumour site and monthLast update
24/10/2024Next update
21/11/2024Publishing organisation
Welsh GovernmentSource 1
Suspected Cancer Pathway, Digital Health and Care Wales (DHCW) and National Data Resource (NDR)Contact email
stats.healthinfo@gov.walesDesignation
National StatisticsLowest level of geographical disaggregation
Local health boardsGeographical coverage
WalesLanguages covered
English and WelshData licensing
You may use and re-use this data free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government License - see http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licenceGeneral description
Experimental Statistics: Under the suspected cancer pathway, a pathway starts at the point of suspicion (for example when a GP makes a referral) and this is when the recorded waiting time starts. A pathway is closed, and their waiting time ends, when the patient starts their first definitive treatment, is downgraded (told they do not have cancer), chooses not to have treatment or if the patient dies. This data measures activity through the number of pathways opened following a suspicion of cancer. Note that a patient may be on more than one pathway.Data collection and calculation
Please find further information in the related statistical release, as per the given weblink.Frequency of publication
MonthlyStatistical quality
Suspected cancer pathway data is measured by patient pathways rather than unique patients. This is because a single patient can have multiple cancer pathways opened if cancer is suspected in more than one tumour site. When quality assuring open pathway data for October, November and December 2021, it was estimated that the number of pathways opened is approximately 2-3% higher than the number of unique patients who were suspected of having cancer.Open pathway data collected through the NDR method is broadly similar to the previous aggregate data collection, however direct comparisons should not be made between the two sources because the previous method is known to contain many duplicate pathways. This means that the number of pathways opened in months prior to December 2021 should not be directly compared to data from December 2021 onwards.
Please find this information in the related statistical release, as per the given weblink.
Note that data included in this statistical release covers a time period during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which has affected both how some NHS services have been offered and people's choices regarding health services. See the latest release for more information.
Data up to November 2020 do not include all pathways affecting children. Data from November 2020 onwards include all reported SCP pathways for patients of all ages. The impact of this coverage change is very small. The extra data increase the Wales totals by approximately 0.2%.