What is the Two Week Wait Pathway?
If you have symptoms could possibly be linked to cancer, you may be referred urgently to a specialist. This is often called the “two-week wait” pathway. The name comes from the original NHS standard, which aimed for patients to be seen within 14 days.
However, the two week target has now been revised, and it could be much longer before youa re seen. Under the Faster Diagnosis Standard, the NHS aims for patients to receive a clear answer — whether it is cancer or not — within 28 days of being referred.
Why Has It changed?
You may sometimes find that it takes longer than this, and there are several reasons why:
- More people are being referred. Awareness of cancer symptoms has grown, which is a good thing, but it means hospital clinics and tests are busier than ever.
- Multiple tests may be needed. Often, a specialist appointment is only the first step. Scans, blood tests, endoscopies, or biopsies may be arranged, and these all take time to schedule and report.
- Staff shortages affect services. There are staff shortages across the board in the NHS, which can cause unavoidable delays.
- Hospitals are under pressure. Alongside cancer referrals, the NHS is managing targets in emergency care, planned operations, and recovery from the COVID-19 backlog.
Do I Need To Worry?
It’s natural to feel anxious while waiting, but it’s important to know that most people referred urgently do not have cancer. The pathway is designed to check symptoms quickly and rule out serious illness as well as to diagnose cancer early when it is present.
If you are waiting longer than expected and feel worried, you can contact your GP or the hospital team for an update. The NHS is working hard to improve waiting times, but in the meantime, support is available to help you cope with the uncertainty.