CANCER patients in south Essex are not being treated quickly enough due to tumours being missed by doctors, an investigation found.

Health trusts have been ordered to improve in a scathing report which shows tens of thousands of patients across the country die within a year of diagnosis.

NHS England has published Ofsted-style ratings of cancer care supplied by every clinical commissioning group - the boards responsible for commissioning health services.

Each was given an overall grading of either top performing, performing well, needs improvement or greatest need for improvement.

Basildon and Brentwood, Southend, Rochford and Castle Point, and Thurrock clinical commissioning groups were all given the second lowest rating.

The investigation found not enough patients were being treated within the national target of 62 days.

Just 62 per cent of people in Basildon and 65.3 per cent of people in Southend are being seen within the proposed wait time - below the national average of 85 per cent.

Thurrock has the worst figures, at 54.8 per cent, while Rochford and Castle Point treats 78.1 per cent of patients within the 62 day window.

Health minister Jeremy Hunt introduced the new rating system last year over concerns survival rates in England area among the lowest in western Europe.

This has been blamed on GPs missing tumours, and delays to hospital treatment.

Keen horse rider, Susannah Baughan, 23, of Oakhurst Drive, Wickford, lost her grandfather to cancer eight years ago.

She recently underwent a breast examination over fears she is at risk herself.

She was pleased with the care she received.

Ms Baughan said: “I had an ache in my breast and kept putting off going to the doctor because it is hard to get an appointment outside of work time.

“But when I eventually did go she referred me to Basildon Hospital as a precaution.

“I managed to get an appointment within a week and, when I couldn’t attend that one, they rearranged it for the following week so it was really quick.

“I had an ultrasound and everyone was really nice."

Brentwood Live:

Ms Baughan was given the all-clear and now organises riding events in aid of charity.

She added: “I’m really surprised so few people are seen within 62 days. Everyone should be treated quicker than that anyway.”

Southend Clinical Commissioning Group did not respond to a request for a comment.

A spokesman for the Basildon and Brentwood group said: “We recognise that improving diagnosis, care and outcomes for cancer patients is a top priority.

“We are working with neighbouring groups and hospitals to achieve this.”

Doctor Anand Deshpande, Chair of Thurrock CCG said in Thurrock, early detection and timely treatment within national 62 day standards is a top priority as we face UK wide challenges of improving diagnosis and treatment for cancer, whilst supporting patients with the best quality care head on.

He added: “Together with Thurrock Council we have already completed a comprehensive ‘Cancer Deep Dive’ across the Thurrock health system to fully understand the causes of current performance to help us to bring performance back on track and keep improving for the benefit of Thurrock people.

“We have already introduced a faster e-referral system as well as patient information detailing the importance of appointments and reasons for referral. We are also working closely with our local hospitals so that Thurrock patients have access to timely intervention regardless of the hospital they wish to attend for treatment.”