As the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn makes significant strides in getting cancer patients access to treatment, the hospital is now introducing measures to make sure its performance is sustained.

The hospital had battled to meet the government set target of treating patients with suspected cancer within 62 days of being referred by their GP - but managed to achieve it towards the end of last year.

Chief Executive Dorothy Hosein said: 'This success is not just about reaching a target, it is about what we have been able to offer our patients.

'We were having difficulty with the histopathology results and have been micro-managing every single case that came our way.'

She added: 'Every single patient was treated as a priority - we want our patients to be receiving the best possible care.'

To build on that, the hospital is now created a new role with a dedicated staff member who will guide patients through the various stages from referral to treatment. The hospital will also continue working with its MacMillan Cancer partners.

While the West Norfolk CCG acknowledged the hospital's improved performance in cancer treatment between October and December last year, the report from its last meeting said it will continue to be monitored.

The 62-Day referral for cancer treatment is a challenging target for the vast majority of the country's healthcare providers.

In Norfolk, James Paget Hospital in Gorleston had also been meeting the target up until December before falling 5pc below in January. A spokesman explained patients have 'a degree of choice' when to start treatment.

'And this can have a stronger influence on performance figures over the Christmas and New Year period,' he said.

The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital said it expects to meet the target by April.

- Do you have a health story? Email louise.hepburn@archant.co.uk