Lord Newby
Main Page: Lord Newby (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Lord Evans of Rainow (Con)
I thank the noble and gallant Lord for that question. I do not have specific data regarding strike action, but while strike action is unhelpful, the faster diagnosis standard, which ensures that 75% of patients receive a definitive diagnosis regarding cancer within 28 days of referral from a GP or screening services, was met for the first time in February 2023, at 73.5%.
Lord Newby (LD)
My Lords, the Minister said that the workforce plan would be published this spring. In his department, when does spring end?
Lord Evans of Rainow (Con)
I can reassure the noble Lord that I asked that exact question before I came to this Dispatch Box. Unfortunately, I cannot give a definition of spring; my personal view is that spring ends sort of at the end of June, but I hope to bring a work- force plan to noble Lords sooner rather than later.