Overview

This report examines the pilot year collection of radiotherapy waiting times for 2013-14.

In 2013-14, radiotherapy was delivered at 72 different locations across Australia:

• 53 of these reported data to this collection
• 37 out of 38 public radiotherapy providers contributed.

These service providers reported almost 47,700 courses of radiotherapy that started in 2013‒14.

People who started radiotherapy in 2013-14

• 53% of treatments had a curative intent. 40% was palliative.
• Almost 37,700 courses were delivered in public settings, and 10,000 in private settings.
• The most common principal diagnoses were breast, prostate and lung cancers.

Radiotherapy waiting times

• 50% of non- emergency treatments started within 13 days.
• 90% of non- emergency treatments started within 33 days.
• 90% of emergency cases started treatment on the same or next day.

41 of the 53 services participated (almost 38,700 courses).

Waiting time is the number of days between when the patient was ready-for-care, and when the radiotherapy started.

50% of palliative patients started treatment within 7 days (90% within 21 days).

50% of curative patients started treatment within 18 days (90% within 35 days).