In August 2026, 76.7% of patients started treatment for cancer within 62 days of referral, placing SaTH 41st out of 122 reporting trusts in the country, compared with 112th out of 122 in February 2025.
SaTH, which runs Princess Royal Hospital in Telford and Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, aims to achieve 80% by March 2027 and the national standard of 85% during the following financial year.
SaTH was also the fifth best performing trust in the country for the 28-day Faster Diagnosis Standard after being bottom in February 2025 with an 87.8% rate as of August 2026.
Ned Hobbs, group chief operating officer and deputy chief executive at SaTH, said: ‘This is positive news for our patients who are experiencing shorter waits for a diagnosis and the treatment they need.'
Progress has been achieved through delivery of the trust's cancer services transformation plan, including: reducing the time from referral to first outpatient appointment; timely access to diagnostics – tests and scans such as CT, MRI and Non-Obstetric Ultrasound; and investment in workforce, including the expansion of specialist cancer nursing and patient navigator roles.
There has also been an expansion of radiotherapy capacity, including an additional linear accelerator, as well as the introduction of new and innovative treatments, alongside continued development of the trust's cancer clinical trials portfolio.
SaTH also plans for additional chemotherapy capacity in Telford as part of its Hospitals Transformation Programme.
Work has also focused on bringing care closer to patients' homes, reducing unnecessary hospital visits and strengthening personalised cancer care so patients receive support and care that reflects their needs.
