Anger as the number of people waiting more than six weeks for NHS diagnostic checks – which can detect and diagnose cancer – has increased 23 times in less than a decade

The number of patients waiting more than six weeks for NHS diagnostic checks has increased 23 times in less than a decade to 364,000, a study has found.

The tests and scans are used to detect, diagnose and predict the likelihood of many diseases, including cancer.

Patient groups last night called the figures ‘alarming’ and warned that people are being left ‘in the dark’ and unable to start the treatment they need.

Delays can prevent doctors from prescribing medications or performing surgery, during which time conditions can worsen and possibly become incurable.

The total NHS waiting list for diagnostic checks, including MRI and CT scans, is currently a record 1.6 million, NHS England figures show, almost double the number waiting in July 2015.

Of these, 22 percent – ​​​​364,544 – wait longer than six weeks.

The number of waiters working six weeks in the kitchen has increased 23 times (from 15,706) since 2015, according to research from the House of Commons Library.

The findings come after Sir Keir Starmer promised that 92 percent of patients would wait no longer than 18 weeks for hospital treatment by 2029.

The number of waiters working six weeks has increased 23 times since 2015 – from 15,706 – according to research from the House of Commons Library (file image)

Helen Morgan, the Liberal Democrats’ health and social care spokesperson, said: ‘The Prime Minister’s milestone on treatment times risks being meaningless if people can’t even get the scans they need.’

But the Liberal Democrats, who commissioned the research, warned the Prime Minister’s promise will be ‘pointless’ if people cannot get a diagnosis in time.

Helen Morgan, the Liberal Democrats’ health and social care spokesperson, said: ‘The Prime Minister’s milestone on treatment times risks being meaningless if people can’t even get the scans they need.’

Rachel Power, chief executive of the Patients Association, described the figures as ‘alarming’, adding: ‘These are not just numbers, they represent millions of people who are in limbo and unable to start treatment or even get a to be diagnosed.’

Michelle Mitchell, CEO of Cancer Research UK, said: ‘Detecting cancer early saves lives, but people in the UK are waiting too long to access essential diagnostic tests.’

A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care said: ‘Our plan for change will get the NHS back on its feet and get waiting lists under control.

‘The Budget provided the funding to carry out an additional 40,000 operations, scans and appointments per week, so patients can be treated within 18 weeks.

‘We are investing around £1.5 billion in capital funding for new surgical hubs, diagnostic scanners and beds across the NHS to create more treatment space in emergency departments, reduce waiting times and help shift more care into the community .’