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More on KentOnline
The performance of an NHS trust's cancer services has met all of its targets for the first time in more than five years.
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust hit all eight NHS targets in October.
The targets include 85% of cancer patients being treated within 62 days and seeing patients within 14 days of a GP's referral.
The trust, which treats around 1.8million people from Maidstone Hospital as well as Kent and Canterbury Hospital, has hit all eight targets for the first time since March 2014.
In September last year MTW was listed among the worst in the UK for wait times.
The latest data now ranks the trust among the top 20% in the country.
Chief of Service for Cancer Services, Dr Henry Taylor, said: "Reaching these targets is testament to all of the incredible hard work undertaken by our clinical staff, working alongside an outstanding administrative team, who are dedicated to delivering the best possible care to our patients throughout their cancer journey.
"We are extremely proud of the progress we have made as a team over the last year, with the latest data also showing we have continued to improve since achieving the 62 day target back in August.
"We will now build on the good work we’ve implemented to fulfil our ambition of becoming an outstanding cancer centre, where patients can access world-leading, high quality cancer care and treatment."
The trust pins improvements on training existing nurses to deliver chemotherapy and investing in more staff.
There has also been an improvement of diagnostic equipment and facilities.
A MTW spokesman added: "Some of the key quality improvements that have made the most impact on speeding up patients’ access to treatment include introducing ‘straight to test’, where a patient referred is initially assessed by a specialist cancer nurse over the telephone to determine the best and most suitable test for their symptoms, rather than waiting to have an face-to-face outpatient appointment."
