Days Matter: Driving Rapid Transformation in Cancer Pathways

Logo for the 'Days Matter' project by SWAG Cancer Alliance, featuring four interlocking puzzle pieces in purple, green, orange, and blue, a stylized clock icon with motion lines, and the text 'DAYS MATTER – A SWAG Cancer Alliance Project'Launched 14 July 2025

What is Days Matter?

Days Matter is a 100-day cancer improvement programme launched by SWAG Cancer Alliance in response to a call from Professor Tim Briggs, National Director for Clinical Improvement and Elective Recovery. The initiative aims to deliver rapid transformation in high-priority cancer pathways - specifically urology and colorectal - to improve patient outcomes and reduce waiting times.

Led by the SWAG Cancer Alliance in partnership with NHS England’s Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) team, the project brings together clinical leaders, operational teams, and system partners to tackle unwarranted variation and reduce delays in cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Over the course of 100 days, participating Trusts are challenged to identify and implement practical changes that will help more patients meet the Faster Diagnosis Standard (FDS) and receive timely treatment. By focusing on data-driven decision-making, peer collaboration, and local innovation, Days Matter aims to create a lasting impact on cancer outcomes - because when it comes to cancer, every day truly matters.

Our Projects

Why it matters and what do we hope to achieve?

Every day counts when diagnosing and treating cancer. Delays can impact outcomes, patient experience, and equity of access. The Days Matter programme is designed to:

  • Improve performance against the Faster Diagnosis Standard (FDS), 31-day, and 62-day cancer standards.
  • Reduce variation in care across the SWAG region.
  • Support sustainable, long-term improvements in cancer pathways.

We are looking to emulate the pathway improvements delivered by national and regional exemplars to realise improvements of 5% in FDS over the next 3 months (by October 2025) and a further 10% by the end of 2025 in both urology and colorectal tumour sites.

Who is involved?

All Trusts across SWAG have been asked to participate, including:

  • North Bristol NHS Trust
  • University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust
  • Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
  • Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
  • Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust
  • Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust

Each Trust has been asked to identify: 

  • An Executive Sponsor 
  • A Project/Service Manager 
  • Specialty Clinical Leads for Urology, Colorectal, and Gynaecology 
  • Representatives for Clinical Advisory Groups: including Cancer Nurse Specialists, Diagnostics, and Operational Leads. 

How will success be measured?

​SWAG Cancer Alliance will adopt the GIRFT Methodology in collating, scrutinising and sharing data to identify both excellence and opportunities for improvement and to tackle unwanted variation across SWAG Cancer Alliances  providers through clinical and operational collaboration, benchmarking and adopting best practice. The benefits will be realised across governance, insights, productivity, capacity and partnerships to improve outcomes and ensure timely, equitable access to care for all patients.

The project will run over three periods, looking at 30, 60 and 90 day timelines. There will be a report at the end of each period against the specific KPIs and CWT FDS at the end of the project. Impact and outcomes will feed into 2026/27 and reports and learnings will be shared at the close of the project.

Success for the Days Matter project will be measured using clearly defined metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs), including: 

  • Achievement of milestones outlined in the 30/60/90-day implementation plan. 
  • Improvement in tumour site specific Cancer Wait times performance – Faster diagnosis standard and 62 day 
  • Best practice timed pathway timelines improvement 
  • Equality impact assessment anticipates neutral or reductive impact on health inequalities 
  • Feedback and satisfaction levels from both patients and healthcare professionals. 
  • Peer review outcomes and stakeholder evaluations. 

Regular reporting and data analysis will support continuous evaluation and inform necessary adjustments. 

Where can I find project resources?

NHS Futures logoIf you are an NHS Staff Member within SWAG, then all supporting documents, draft packs, templates, and shared learnings are being uploaded to the SWAG NHS Futures Platform. These are evolving and all teams will be given access and notifications of updates and new materials.

For more information, please contact: SWAGCA@nbt.nhs.uk

Access NHS Futures

Days Matter Case Studies: Improving the Urology Cancer Pathways

 

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT)

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) has made improvements to its prostate cancer pathway by combining digital innovation, smarter processes, and collaborative working. By tackling delays in triage, MRI access, and multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings, the Trust has significantly reduced waiting times and improved patient experience. These changes are helping patients get faster diagnoses and clearer care plans, while supporting staff with more efficient systems and sustainable ways of working. Read more

 

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (GHFT)

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (GHFT) has redesigned its urology cancer pathway to reduce delays and improve patient experience. By pre-booking appointments, running parallel clinics, and introducing non-medical practitioners to deliver key diagnostics, the Trust is helping patients move through their care more quickly and with greater clarity. These changes are also easing pressure on clinical teams and building a more sustainable, efficient service. Read more

 

 

Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust 

Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust has introduced a series of improvements to its urology cancer pathway to reduce delays and improve patient care. By expanding biopsy capacity, prioritising urgent test results, streamlining multidisciplinary team meetings, and supporting GPs with better referral processes, the trust is tackling staffing and space challenges head-on. These changes mean faster diagnoses, less waiting for patients, and more efficient working for staff, with further enhancements planned for the year ahead. Read more

 

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust 

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has transformed its urology cancer pathway through nurse-led triage and streamlined processes, cutting delays and improving patient experience. Same-day triage rates have jumped, average waits have fallen by several days, and hundreds of outpatient appointments have been saved. With navigator-led communication and plans for a one-stop bladder pathway, Somerset is delivering faster, clearer care while freeing up clinical time. Read more