NHS waiting times for cancer care in England now longest on record

Latest data shows numbers waiting for other types of operations also at highest ever levels

Waiting times for cancer care in England are the longest on record, the latest figures have revealed, forcing tens of thousands of patients every month to wait longer than they should to see a specialist or start treatment.

The NHS's performance against seven of its nine cancer waiting times targets has fallen to its worst ever level, prompting concern about patients having their diagnosis or treatment delayed.

Just 73.3% of people who attended A&E in January were treated within four hours - the joint lowest ever figure - even though the target is 95%.

Ambulances are taking longer to respond to 999 calls, both for emergency and also urgent calls.

More than a third of young people needing treatment for potentially life-threatening eating disorders are waiting more than 12 weeks.