• The BBC has launched an NHS performance tracker against the three key targets
• The data shows performance against A&E, cancer care and elective operation targets has deteriorated for trusts in England
• We say trusts are working flat out to meet these targets, but targets do not tell the whole story about the quality of care

The BBC has launched its NHS tracker, which follows the performance of local hospital services across the UK against the three key performance targets.

It will be updated throughout the year as the monthly and quarterly figures are published.

• Four-hour A&E waits
• 62-day cancer care
• Planned operations and treatment

Nationally England, Wales and Northern Ireland have not hit one of their three key targets for 18 months.

The data shows that in England, trust performance against these targets has deteriorated. In 2012/13, trusts hit their key targets 86.1% of the time. In 2016/17, it was 0%.   

Responding to the launch of the BBC’s NHS tracker, the director of policy and strategy at NHS Providers, Saffron Cordery, said:

“The NHS is coming under pressure as never before. This project will give people further information about how their local hospital is coping under such challenging conditions.

“Of course performance against national targets does not tell the whole story about the quality of care, but timely access to treatment is really important.

Performance against national targets does not tell the whole story about the quality of care, but timely access to treatment is really important.

“Trust leaders and their staff want to meet these targets, and ensure the best possible care for patients. They are working flat out to achieve this.

“But there is a growing gap between the ever-increasing demands being placed on the NHS, and the resources available to deliver them. 

“We’re in the middle of the longest and deepest financial squeeze in the history of the NHS, and workforce pressures mean trusts are struggling to recruit and retain enough staff to ensure the safe, high-quality care that patients expect and deserve.”

“Given current demands and resources it is time to consider whether these targets are actually achievable unless more money is provided.”