NEW Ofsted-style rankings reveal Cumbria's cancer detection rates and treatment must improve.

Cumbria was found to be struggling to meet key performance targets for the disease in the new league table revealed by the Department of Health.

The county's clinical commissioning group - the body in charge of buying in health services on behalf of residents - is shown to be among a majority of areas across England that "require improvement" when it comes to the standard of care offered.

The league table shows key performance targets for spotting all types of the disease early are being missed - at 51.5 per cent, while 79.5 per cent of people begin treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral for suspected cancer, against a target of 85 per cent.

Some 69.8 per cent of people diagnosed with cancer were found to be alive a year later - just short of the NHS target of 70 per cent, while 89.1 per cent of patients would recommend the care they received to a friend of relative.

Just seven CCGs were awarded the best rating of Top Performer while a further 22 were placed in the Performing Well category.

Some 156 were classed as "requires improvement" while 27 languished at the bottom of the table after being labelled "in greatest need of improvement".

Dr Fran Woodard, executive director of policy and impact at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: "The fact that so many CCGs in England have been identified as providing inadequate care to cancer patients - or requiring improvements in this area - is very concerning.

"It highlights just how much the NHS is struggling to meet the challenge of delivering cancer services which meet all the critical needs of people with cancer.

"There is some way to go before the care provided is as good as it should be and is consistent across England.

"But if you or someone close to you is affected by cancer, these ratings do not necessarily mean that you will receive poor care."

A spokesman for NHS Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group said: “NHS Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group has been aware of the need for improvement in cancer access and outcomes, especially in the north of the county. To achieve this we have been working with local hospitals to improve the situation, in particular the numbers of patients waiting longer than the nationally prescribed time limits for assessment and treatment has reduced significantly in recent months.

“The CCG is now meeting the standards for seeing patients for initial consultation within two weeks of referral. We recognise the need for continued and further improvement and considerable work taking place with GPs and hospitals to improve the speed of early diagnosis and survival rates.

“NHS Cumbria CCG is also committed to ensuring that as much of the cancer service is provided within the county, as is feasible, as well as enhancing links with the centre of cancer excellence in Newcastle to ensure access to the best possible care and facilities for patients.”

Last year, a study by Macmillan Cancer Support concluded the UK had the lowest cancer survival rates in Europe, with its performance on treating the disease a decade behind some other countries.

RELATED ARTICLE: Barrow groom diagnosed with cancer so rare he's one in five million

RELATED ARTICLE: Barrow cancer support group raises more than £7,000

READ MORE: Football match pitches in with Barrow cancer-fighting teacher's fundraising target

READ MORE: Family's plea to complete bedroom makeover for young Barrow girl with cancer