Surgery is one of the main treatments for bowel cancer. The surgeon removes the cancer and part or all of the bowel around it. Some people need a colostomy or ileostomy, which may be temporary or permanent. You may also be offered chemotherapy, radiotherapy or targeted medicines, before or after surgery.
The National Bowel Cancer Audit publishes results for every NHS trust in England and Wales, adjusted for differences between patients. Cancer surgery is often concentrated in specialist centres, so the trust that diagnoses you may refer you to another trust for your operation.
Hospitals in the North West
19 trusts in the North West with published figures. Sorted by name. This is not a ranking: read how to read this first.
| Trust | Volume bandMajor bowel cancer operations, 2024 (NBOCA) | Key outcomeDeaths within 90 days (adjusted) | Waiting timeWhole trust | Patient experience | CQC rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Blackpool Victoria Hospital, Clifton Hospital | 100 to 149115 major bowel cancer operations in 2024 | 2.3%National: 2.6%No banding publishedMore measures
| 47.8%started cancer treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral or screening (standard 85%; England 61.2%), June to August 2026, provisional15.1% of people waiting for a colonoscopy had waited 6 weeks or more (England 30.9%, August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.3 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Blackpool Victoria Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for Blackpool Victoria Hospital) Clifton Hospital: Good (CQC report for Clifton Hospital) |
| Bolton NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Royal Bolton Hospital | 100 to 149102 major bowel cancer operations in 2024 | 2.6%National: 2.6%No banding publishedMore measures
| 63.4%started cancer treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral or screening (standard 85%; England 61.2%), June to August 2026, provisional1.3% of people waiting for a colonoscopy had waited 6 weeks or more (England 30.9%, August 2026) | Somewhat worse than expectedInpatients rated their overall experience 7.8 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Good (CQC report for Royal Bolton Hospital) |
| The Christie NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: The Christie | Fewer than 10071 major bowel cancer operations in 2024 | 3.2%National: 2.6%No banding publishedMore measures
| 77.4%started cancer treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral or screening (standard 85%; England 61.2%), June to August 2026, provisional0% of people waiting for a colonoscopy had waited 6 weeks or more (England 30.9%, August 2026) | Much better than expectedInpatients rated their overall experience 9.2 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Good (CQC report for The Christie) |
| Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: The Countess of Chester Hospital | Fewer than 10092 major bowel cancer operations in 2024 | 3.4%National: 2.6%No banding publishedMore measures
| 79%started cancer treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral or screening (standard 85%; England 61.2%), June to August 2026, provisional34% of people waiting for a colonoscopy had waited 6 weeks or more (England 30.9%, August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.3 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Requires improvement (CQC report for The Countess of Chester Hospital) |
| East Cheshire NHS TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Macclesfield District General Hospital | Fewer than 10088 major bowel cancer operations in 2024 | 3.7%National: 2.6%No banding publishedMore measures
| 71.4%started cancer treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral or screening (standard 85%; England 61.2%), June to August 2026, provisional15.6% of people waiting for a colonoscopy had waited 6 weeks or more (England 30.9%, August 2026) | Somewhat worse than expectedInpatients rated their overall experience 7.8 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Requires improvement (CQC report for Macclesfield District General Hospital) |
| East Lancashire Hospitals NHS TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Burnley General Hospital, Royal Blackburn Hospital | 150 to 199160 major bowel cancer operations in 2024 | 3.3%National: 2.6%No banding publishedMore measures
| 56.4%started cancer treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral or screening (standard 85%; England 61.2%), June to August 2026, provisional2.1% of people waiting for a colonoscopy had waited 6 weeks or more (England 30.9%, August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 7.9 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Burnley General Hospital: Good (CQC report for Burnley General Hospital) Royal Blackburn Hospital: Good (CQC report for Royal Blackburn Hospital) |
| Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Chorley and South Ribble Hospital, Royal Preston Hospital | 150 to 199168 major bowel cancer operations in 2024 | 2.2%National: 2.6%No banding publishedMore measures
| 63.4%started cancer treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral or screening (standard 85%; England 61.2%), June to August 2026, provisional2.6% of people waiting for a colonoscopy had waited 6 weeks or more (England 30.9%, August 2026) | Worse than expectedInpatients rated their overall experience 7.7 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Chorley and South Ribble Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for Chorley and South Ribble Hospital) Royal Preston Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for Royal Preston Hospital) |
| Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Broadgreen Hospital, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, University Hospital Aintree | 200 or more288 major bowel cancer operations in 2024 | 1.7%National: 2.6%No banding publishedMore measures
| 42.9%started cancer treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral or screening (standard 85%; England 61.2%), June to August 2026, provisional36% of people waiting for a colonoscopy had waited 6 weeks or more (England 30.9%, August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.1 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Broadgreen Hospital: No Approved Rating (CQC report for Broadgreen Hospital) New Royal Liverpool University: No Approved Rating (CQC report for New Royal Liverpool University) University Hospital Aintree: Requires improvement (CQC report for University Hospital Aintree) |
| Manchester University NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Manchester Royal Infirmary, North Manchester General Hospital, Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Royal Manchester Eye Hospital, Saint Mary’s Hospital, Trafford General Hospital, Wythenshawe Hospital | 200 or more203 major bowel cancer operations in 2024 | 1.4%National: 2.6%No banding publishedMore measures
| 53.8%started cancer treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral or screening (standard 85%; England 61.2%), June to August 2026, provisional4.5% of people waiting for a colonoscopy had waited 6 weeks or more (England 30.9%, August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.3 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Manchester Royal Infirmary: Requires improvement (CQC report for Manchester Royal Infirmary) North Manchester General Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for North Manchester General Hospital) Royal Manchester Children's Hospital: Good (CQC report for Royal Manchester Children's Hospital) Royal Manchester Eye Hospital: Outstanding (CQC report for Royal Manchester Eye Hospital) Saint Mary's Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for Saint Mary's Hospital) Trafford General Hospital: Good (CQC report for Trafford General Hospital) Wythenshawe Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for Wythenshawe Hospital) |
| Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Ormskirk District General Hospital, Southport and Formby District General Hospital, St Helens Hospital, Whiston Hospital | 200 or more288 major bowel cancer operations in 2024 | 3.7%National: 2.6%No banding publishedMore measures
| 67.7%started cancer treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral or screening (standard 85%; England 61.2%), June to August 2026, provisional16.9% of people waiting for a colonoscopy had waited 6 weeks or more (England 30.9%, August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.3 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Ormskirk District General Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for Ormskirk District General Hospital) Southport and Formby District General Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for Southport and Formby District General Hospital) St Helens Hospital: Good (CQC report for St Helens Hospital) Whiston Hospital: Not Rated (CQC report for Whiston Hospital) |
| Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Leighton Hospital | 100 to 149111 major bowel cancer operations in 2024 | 3.2%National: 2.6%No banding publishedMore measures
| 47.7%started cancer treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral or screening (standard 85%; England 61.2%), June to August 2026, provisional40.3% of people waiting for a colonoscopy had waited 6 weeks or more (England 30.9%, August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.1 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Requires improvement (CQC report for Leighton Hospital) |
| North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Cockermouth Hospital, Cumberland Infirmary, West Cumberland Hospital | 100 to 149125 major bowel cancer operations in 2024 | 1.2%National: 2.6%No banding publishedMore measures
| 39.2%started cancer treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral or screening (standard 85%; England 61.2%), June to August 2026, provisional6.6% of people waiting for a colonoscopy had waited 6 weeks or more (England 30.9%, August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.3 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Cumberland Infirmary: Requires improvement (CQC report for Cumberland Infirmary) West Cumberland Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for West Cumberland Hospital) |
| Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Fairfield General Hospital, Rochdale Infirmary, Royal Oldham Hospital, Salford Royal Hospital | 200 or more244 major bowel cancer operations in 2024 | 1.3%National: 2.6%No banding publishedMore measures
| 64.3%started cancer treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral or screening (standard 85%; England 61.2%), June to August 2026, provisional46.5% of people waiting for a colonoscopy had waited 6 weeks or more (England 30.9%, August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.3 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Fairfield General Hospital: No Approved Rating (CQC report for Fairfield General Hospital) Rochdale Infirmary: No Approved Rating (CQC report for Rochdale Infirmary) Royal Oldham Hospital: No Approved Rating (CQC report for Royal Oldham Hospital) Salford Royal Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for Salford Royal Hospital) |
| Stockport NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Stepping Hill Hospital | 100 to 149114 major bowel cancer operations in 2024 | 1.8%National: 2.6%No banding publishedMore measures
| 77.1%started cancer treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral or screening (standard 85%; England 61.2%), June to August 2026, provisional5.7% of people waiting for a colonoscopy had waited 6 weeks or more (England 30.9%, August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.1 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Requires improvement (CQC report for Stepping Hill Hospital) |
| Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Tameside General Hospital | Fewer than 10095 major bowel cancer operations in 2024 | 2.1%National: 2.6%No banding publishedMore measures
| 63.6%started cancer treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral or screening (standard 85%; England 61.2%), June to August 2026, provisional2.3% of people waiting for a colonoscopy had waited 6 weeks or more (England 30.9%, August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 7.9 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Good (CQC report for Tameside General Hospital) |
| University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Furness General Hospital, Royal Lancaster Infirmary, Westmorland General Hospital | 100 to 149145 major bowel cancer operations in 2024 | 1.9%National: 2.6%No banding publishedMore measures
| 55.6%started cancer treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral or screening (standard 85%; England 61.2%), June to August 2026, provisional1.4% of people waiting for a colonoscopy had waited 6 weeks or more (England 30.9%, August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.3 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Furness General Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for Furness General Hospital) Royal Lancaster Infirmary: Good (CQC report for Royal Lancaster Infirmary) Westmorland General Hospital: Good (CQC report for Westmorland General Hospital) |
| Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Halton Hospital, Warrington Hospital | 100 to 149103 major bowel cancer operations in 2024 | 1%National: 2.6%No banding publishedMore measures
| 89.1%started cancer treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral or screening (standard 85%; England 61.2%), June to August 2026, provisional20.1% of people waiting for a colonoscopy had waited 6 weeks or more (England 30.9%, August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 7.9 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Halton Hospital: Good (CQC report for Halton Hospital) Warrington Hospital: Good (CQC report for Warrington Hospital) |
| Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Arrowe Park Hospital, Clatterbridge Hospital | 150 to 199151 major bowel cancer operations in 2024 | 1.1%National: 2.6%No banding publishedMore measures
| 59.3%started cancer treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral or screening (standard 85%; England 61.2%), June to August 2026, provisional36.1% of people waiting for a colonoscopy had waited 6 weeks or more (England 30.9%, August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.3 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Arrowe Park Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for Arrowe Park Hospital) Clatterbridge Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for Clatterbridge Hospital) |
| Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Leigh Infirmary, Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, Wrightington Hospital | Fewer than 10094 major bowel cancer operations in 2024 | 4.3%National: 2.6%No banding publishedMore measures
| 52.1%started cancer treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral or screening (standard 85%; England 61.2%), June to August 2026, provisional9.8% of people waiting for a colonoscopy had waited 6 weeks or more (England 30.9%, August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Leigh Infirmary: Good (CQC report for Leigh Infirmary) Royal Albert Edward Infirmary: Requires improvement (CQC report for Royal Albert Edward Infirmary) Wrightington Hospital: Good (CQC report for Wrightington Hospital) |
How to read this
- Not a ranking. The table is in alphabetical order. A higher volume does not on its own mean better care, and we do not combine the columns into a score.
- Volume bands. Cut points are the lower quartile, median and upper quartile of all 130 NHS trusts and health boards in the NBOCA data tables in the published table, rounded. So about a quarter of NHS trusts and health boards in the NBOCA data tables fall in each band. The exact number is shown under the band.
- Risk adjustment. Where a figure says “adjusted”, the audit has allowed for differences in the patients each hospital treats, such as age and other illnesses. Hospitals that take on more complex cases can still look different for reasons the adjustment does not capture.
- Bands and limits. We only say a result is higher or lower than expected when the source itself says so (for example NJR outlier status, NELA funnel limits, SSNAP levels, CQC survey bands). Where the source publishes a rate without limits we show the rate and the national figure, and say “No banding published”.
- Small numbers. A small hospital can have 0% or a high percentage by chance. Figures the source suppresses are shown as “Not published (small numbers)”.
- Trust or hospital. This audit publishes figures for each NHS trust, which may run several hospitals. The operation may only be done at one of them.
- Different periods. Each figure has its own period, shown next to it. Audit results describe operations done one to three years ago; waiting times are updated monthly.
- National figures. National figures are the 'Overall' (England and Wales) row of the NBOCA data tables.
- Talk to your GP or consultant about what the figures mean for you. If you are referred for planned care in England, you can usually choose your hospital.
Full definitions: methodology and data dictionary.
Data sources and licences
- National Bowel Cancer Audit (NBOCA) State of the Nation 2026 data tables, NATCAN (Royal College of Surgeons of England) for HQIP. Source: National Bowel Cancer Audit (NBOCA), NATCAN / HQIP, State of the Nation 2026. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0
- Cancer Waiting Times (provider extract), NHS England. Source: NHS England, Cancer Waiting Times. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0
- Diagnostic Waiting Times and Activity (DM01), NHS England. Source: NHS England, Diagnostic Waiting Times and Activity (DM01). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0
- CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025 (trust benchmark results), Care Quality Commission. Source: Care Quality Commission, NHS Patient Survey Programme, Adult Inpatient Survey 2025. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0
- CQC ratings, Care Quality Commission. CQC ratings: Care Quality Commission. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0
- Healthcare-associated infections: annual counts and rates by trust (financial year 2025 to 2026), UK Health Security Agency. Source: UK Health Security Agency, healthcare-associated infection annual data. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0
Data last updated 26 October 2026. We do not change the published figures; we only group volumes into bands. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
Sources
We checked this guide against these official pages on 26 October 2026.
- Treatment for bowel cancer (NHS website)
- Bowel cancer (NHS website)
- National Bowel Cancer Audit State of the Nation report 2026 (NATCAN)
- Cancer Waiting Times (NHS England)
- Adult inpatient survey (Care Quality Commission)
Spotted something out of date? Tell us.