Banbury MP welcomes improvements in cancer diagnosis times at Oxford hospitals

The figures show Oxford University Hospitals Trust (OUH) had gone up to 82.1% of patients being given a diagnosis against the government’s Faster Diagnosis target of 80%.

Mr Woodcock says the rise is a national trend that has seen diagnosis times improve significantly.

Ministers are undertaking sweeping reforms to how cancer is diagnosed and treated under the National Cancer Plan - part of a strategy to ensure three in four patients survive cancer by 2035.

Mr Woodcock said: “In Oxfordshire, cancer diagnosis times are heading in the right direction – but we know there is a lot more to do. That’s why this Labour government has developed the new National Cancer Plan to help three in four survive cancer by 2035.

“These aren’t just statistics. These are huge moments in the lives of people all over Oxfordshire. That’s why restoring our NHS is so important. We need a health service that is truly there when local people in Oxfordshire need it. That’s our goal and that is what Labour will deliver.”

Cancer Research UK says pressure on NHS cancer services has been mounting in recent years and waiting times reflect the stress on the system.

"Testing for cancer, diagnosing it and starting treatment quickly saves people from stress and anxiety. Not only this, but cancer that’s diagnosed and treated at an early stage, when it isn’t too large and hasn’t spread, is more likely to be treated successfully," they say.

The standards have been streamlined into three key cancer waiting time standards with associated targets that indicate how well cancer services are doing.

In August 2026 - nationally - the Faster Diagnosis Standard target was missed - as 78.6% of people were diagnosed or had cancer ruled out within 28 days of an urgent referral - against the target of 80%.

The 62 day Referral to Treatment standard target was also missed with 71.9% of patients receiving their diagnosis and starting first treatment within two months of an urgent referral in July. The target is 85%.

The 31-day Decision to Treat standard was also missed with 92.1% starting treatment within 31 days against a target of 96%.

Labour's cancer plan includes:

• Faster diagnostics: a £2.3 billion investment will deliver 9.5 million additional tests by 2029 - investing in more scanners, digital technology and automated testing
• Robot-assisted surgery: the number of robot-assisted procedures will increase from 70,000 to half a million by 2035
• Treatment at specialist centres: more patients with rarer cancers will have their care reviewed and treated at specialist cancer centres
• Genomic testing: every patient who could benefit will be offered a test that analyses the DNA of their cancer
• Waiting lists: new technology is being developed to give patients better access to tests for cancer by offering them the earliest available appointment from a range of NHS organisations in their local area.

Mr Woodcock said: “Labour is getting our NHS back on its feet – and that’s good news for us all.