Relation between infants' birth weight and mothers' mortality: prospective observational study.

The underlying causes of the variation in waiting times observed here are not explained by the audit data, and we do not suggest that there are “across the board” implications for clinical outcome in the waiting times reported. Clearly, these are clinical issues and would vary with specific types of cancer. However, the focus on reducing unnecessary delays in cancer treatment stems from the belief that the earlier disease is detected, the more quickly multidisciplinary care can be instigated and the better the outcome. Irrespective of the specific waiting times reported here, the key contribution of this study is in establishing baseline data which can be used to set targets for improvement and, crucially, to monitor such attempts. We thank Dr Stephen Green for his advice on the development of the guidance notes used by the trusts in completing the survey instrument and the many trust staff who gave their time in the collection of the data. Contributors: PS coordinated the study and helped design the survey instrument and write the report. FB analysed the data and helped write the report. DK helped initiate the research, interpret the data, and write the report. Funding: The study was funded by the Department of Health (HSC1998/999) Competing interests: None declared.