Countess of Chester Hospital ranks among the best in the country for cancer diagnosis and treatment times

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has achieved some of its best-ever cancer results, consistently meeting two key NHS standards over the last four months and ranking among the top-performing trusts nationally.

The results mean more patients are receiving answers about their condition sooner and starting treatment more quickly, helping to reduce the anxiety and uncertainty that can come with suspected cancer. 

One of these measures, known as the Faster Diagnosis Standard, looks at how quickly patients referred with suspected cancer receive an answer. It aims for patients to be told whether they have cancer, or whether cancer has been ruled out, within 28 days. 

Since October 2025, the Trust has performed above the national average, achieving its best-ever result in March 2026 when it ranked fourth in the country. 

Patients are also starting cancer treatment more quickly, as the Trust has consistently met the NHS target for patients to begin treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral. 

In April 2026, the Trust ranked fourth nationally for the proportion of patients starting cancer treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral, continuing to outperform the national average and helping more patients access treatment sooner when time matters most. 

June saw further improvements in cancer care, with the Trust meeting all three national cancer targets for the first time since December 2025.

More patients are receiving a diagnosis and starting treatment sooner, with the Trust achieving its best-ever performance for providing answers within 28 days and significant improvements in treatment waiting times.

These improvements mean more patients are receiving a diagnosis sooner and beginning treatment more quickly, helping to reduce waiting times and improve patient experience.

Achieving this target reflects wider collaboration across Cheshire and Merseyside, which relies on close partnership working between the Trust, specialist hospitals and cancer centres across the region, ensuring patients can move through their care journey as quickly as possible. 

For example, recent NHS data shows Cheshire and Merseyside are among the best‑performing areas in England for a key skin cancer target - ensuring patients with suspected skin cancer start their first treatment within 62 days of being referred.

This is because hospitals in the region work closely together, sharing staff, planning clinics jointly and removing duplicate appointments, so patients are able to move through diagnosis and treatment faster.

Cathy Chadwick, Chief Operating Officer at the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: 

“Receiving news that you may have cancer can be an incredibly worrying experience for patients and their loved ones. That's why making sure people get answers and begin treatment as quickly as possible is so important." 

"We're incredibly proud to be among the best-performing trusts in the country for both cancer diagnosis and treatment times. These results are a testament to the hard work and dedication of colleagues across our cancer services and the excellent partnership working with specialist centres across the region." 

"Improving cancer performance is not only making a real difference for patients, it is also contributing to the Trust's wider improvement in performance, reflected most recently in a 24-place jump up in the main national ranking – the best in Cheshire and Merseyside.

“We remain focused on continuing this progress and delivering the best possible care for our communities."  

The achievements come as NHS organisations across the country work towards national targets requiring at least 80% of patients to receive a diagnosis or have cancer ruled out within 28 days, and 80% of patients to start treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral. 

The Trust continues to invest in cancer services to improve patient experience and ensure people can access diagnosis and treatment as quickly as possible.  

Recent developments include the opening of the newly renovated Chester Haematology Centre, alongside a wider programme of work aimed at further improving cancer care and performance against national standards. 

About the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust provides a range of acute and specialist services to a population of around 445,000 people across west Cheshire, Ellesmere Port, Neston and surrounding areas. The Trust employs more than 5,000 staff and works closely with partners across health and care services to provide high-quality, compassionate care for local communities. The Trust is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of the population it serves through excellent patient care, innovation, research, education and continuous improvement.

The Trust operates three hospitals:

• The Countess of Chester Hospital – a 600-bed district general hospital
• Ellesmere Port Hospital – delivering outpatient, diagnostic and rehabilitation services closer to home
• Tarporley War Memorial Hospital – a rural base for community teams to better serve the local population

For more information, visit the Trust website on www.coch.nhs.uk or follow the Trust on social media.

Pictured - The Cancer Team at COCH.