6 7 The RFL has been highlighted as one of the trusts that has made one of the most significant improvements in cancer treatment waiting times nationally. In December 2025, 80% of patients began treatment within 62 days, up from 54.7% the previous year – our strongest cancer performance to date. This places us in the top quartile of trusts nationally, a first for our trust. We have also achieved the NHS Faster Diagnosis Standard, with 78.2% of patients having cancer diagnosed or ruled out within 28 days, and 92.1% starting treatment within 31 days of the decision to treat. Our hard work has not gone unnoticed, with Mark Cubbon, NHS elective lead, praising the trust for its “impressive improvements”. Our trajectory is particularly remarkable given we continue to be one of the busiest cancer providers in the NHS, receiving almost 66,000 suspected cancer referrals annually, the highest in London. This significant improvement reflects the hard work of colleagues right across our cancer pathways, from primary care referrals and diagnostics right through to treatment and follow up. It means more patients are getting diagnosed faster and benefitting from access to treatment sooner. In addition, the RFL is also working hard to ensure more patients than ever before have access to clinical trials. In the spotlight On World Cancer Day the Secretary of State for Health, Wes Streeting MP, launched the government’s National Cancer Plan at the Maggie’s centre in the grounds of the RFH, in front of an audience of staff, patients and national media. As a kidney cancer survivor himself he thanked his “amazing” surgeon Ravid Barod and praised his clinical nurse specialist, David Cullen, for “always being at the end of a phone call or e-mail”. He went on to share his vision for the future of cancer care across the country, including a focus on ensuring all patients can access the same high standard of care, no matter where they live, as well as the government’s ambition for the country to become a global leader in cancer outcomes by providing more screening. He also outlined the government’s commitment to harness data, equipment and technology such as more robotic assisted surgery, AI and genomic testing to ensure people live for longer. Mr Streeting, also spoke to RFL patients about their care and the support they are receiving, including Ian Gaskin, who has just finished treatment for prostate cancer and Agnes Jervis, who last year underwent surgery for kidney cancer. He told guests: “One in two of us will experience cancer directly during our lives and only a tiny number of people will be untouched by it. If we get cancer care right, we will get health care right.” Charity support The trust has benefitted from the support of the Royal Free Charity. The purchase of a PET-CT scanner has directly increased diagnostic capacity and speed. The trust also now has a second surgical robot which has doubled capacity to perform complex cancer surgeries. In addition, thanks to the charity, patients can access specialist massage techniques like scar tissue therapy and manual lymphatic drainage to ease discomfort and accelerate healing. Peter Landstrom, RFL group chief executive, said: “We know progress in cancer care is not just about clinical excellence but also the patient experience that wraps around it. That is why we are so grateful to the Royal Free Charity and Maggie’s for everything they do to support our patients.” “ “ I just get this incredible feeling of being cared for Danny’s story Behind the percentages are patients – like 66-year-old Danny Rudman, who has spent three decades under the RFL’s care. Danny, from Essex, was diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus in October last year and since then he has received two types of chemotherapy, as well as radiotherapy. He couldn’t praise his clinical team enough for the way they have supported him during his treatment. Ian Gaskin, prostate cancer patient Agnes Jervis, kidney cancer patient Danny Rudman, oesophageal cancer patient Daren Francis, colorectal surgeon Roopinder Gillmore, clinical cancer lead, Jemma O’Reilly, lead cancer nurse, Peter Landstrom, group chief executive, Ravi Barod, urological consultant and James Barber, pre-treatment superintendent therapeutic radiographer, at the National Cancer Plan launch “We’ve had just the most incredible support from all the teams looking after me – oncology, radiotherapy, the nurses, the consultants – they will do anything they can to help you,” he said. “I just get this incredible feeling of being cared for.” For 30 years Danny has been coming to the RFH for treatment for his severe reflux. His stomach acid travels up towards the throat, causing pain and damaging the lining of his oesophagus, also known as the food tube. Over time this has caused scarring and inflammation, which means he has been at risk of developing a tumour. Danny has had regular scans to test for any cancerous growths and last year a tumour was discovered. “They found a lump last year and at first they thought it was benign but then they found it was cancerous,” Delivering on cancer – behind every statistic are our patients Danny said: “The doctors say they don’t think it’s spread. Because it’s in a very difficult place in which to operate, I’m having oral and infusion chemo and radiotherapy and hoping that will blast it and wipe it out.” Danny is hoping his treatment will be over by March and it will have done the trick so he can go back to his job as a land agent. See for yourself A leading cancer surgeon at the RFL is starring in a new documentary series called The Surgeon. The programme goes behind the scenes of the highpressured world of the operating theatre and features Daren Francis, who specialises in bowel cancer surgery, alongside two patients – retired nurse Doris and head chef Antonio – who receive life-threatening diagnoses. Daren stars in the first episode of the series which is being broadcast on Channel 5 at 9pm on Wednesday 18 February and you’ll be able to catch up on My5.
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