Surgery is usually the main treatment for breast cancer. Depending on the size of the cancer and whether it has spread, you may have only the cancer removed (breast-conserving surgery) or the whole breast removed (mastectomy). Other treatments include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy and targeted medicines.
The National Audit of Primary Breast Cancer publishes results for each NHS trust. One measure is how often women need a further operation after breast-conserving surgery, for example because some cancer cells were found at the edge of the tissue removed.
Hospitals in the South East
18 trusts in the South East with published figures. Sorted by name. This is not a ranking: read how to read this first.
| Trust | Volume bandWomen having breast cancer surgery, 2021 to 2023 (NAoPri) | Key outcomeFurther operation after breast-conserving surgery (adjusted) | Waiting timeWhole trust | Patient experience | CQC rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Ashford Hospital, St Peter’s Hospital | 600 to 999694 women who had surgery for early breast cancer, 2021 to 2023 (3 years) | 15.0%National: 16.2% (unadjusted)No banding publishedMore measures
| 74.4%started cancer treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral or screening (standard 85%; England 69.6%), June to August 2026, provisional | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.2 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Ashford Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for Ashford Hospital) St Peter's Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for St Peter's Hospital) |
| Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Amersham Hospital, Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Wycombe Hospital | 1,000 to 1,4991,028 women who had surgery for early breast cancer, 2021 to 2023 (3 years) | 25.5%National: 16.2% (unadjusted)No banding publishedMore measures
| 80.9%started cancer treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral or screening (standard 85%; England 69.6%), June to August 2026, provisional | Somewhat worse than expectedInpatients rated their overall experience 7.8 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Stoke Mandeville Hospital: Good (CQC report for Stoke Mandeville Hospital) Wycombe Hospital: Good (CQC report for Wycombe Hospital) |
| Dartford and Gravesham NHS TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Darent Valley Hospital | 600 to 999780 women who had surgery for early breast cancer, 2021 to 2023 (3 years) | 19.8%National: 16.2% (unadjusted)No banding publishedMore measures
| 49.5%started cancer treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral or screening (standard 85%; England 69.6%), June to August 2026, provisional | Worse than expectedInpatients rated their overall experience 7.7 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Good (CQC report for Darent Valley Hospital) |
| East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Buckland Hospital, Kent & Canterbury Hospital, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital, Royal Victoria Hospital, William Harvey Hospital | 1,500 or more1,510 women who had surgery for early breast cancer, 2021 to 2023 (3 years) | 22.5%National: 16.2% (unadjusted)No banding publishedMore measures
| 56.7%started cancer treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral or screening (standard 85%; England 69.6%), June to August 2026, provisional | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.3 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Buckland Hospital: Good (CQC report for Buckland Hospital) Kent & Canterbury Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for Kent & Canterbury Hospital) Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital) Royal Victoria Hospital: Good (CQC report for Royal Victoria Hospital) William Harvey Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for William Harvey Hospital) |
| East Sussex Healthcare NHS TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Conquest Hospital, Eastbourne District General Hospital | 600 to 999931 women who had surgery for early breast cancer, 2021 to 2023 (3 years) | 13.4%National: 16.2% (unadjusted)No banding publishedMore measures
| 52.9%started cancer treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral or screening (standard 85%; England 69.6%), June to August 2026, provisional | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.3 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Conquest Hospital: Outstanding (CQC report for Conquest Hospital) Eastbourne District General Hospital: Good (CQC report for Eastbourne District General Hospital) |
| Frimley Health NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Farnham Hospital, Frimley Park Hospital, Heatherwood Hospital, Wexham Park Hospital | 1,500 or more1,605 women who had surgery for early breast cancer, 2021 to 2023 (3 years) | 19.2%National: 16.2% (unadjusted)No banding publishedMore measures
| 76.7%started cancer treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral or screening (standard 85%; England 69.6%), June to August 2026, provisional | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.3 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Frimley Park Hospital: Good (CQC report for Frimley Park Hospital) Wexham Park Hospital: Outstanding (CQC report for Wexham Park Hospital) |
| Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, Royal Hampshire County Hospital | 1,000 to 1,4991,167 women who had surgery for early breast cancer, 2021 to 2023 (3 years) | 15.2%National: 16.2% (unadjusted)No banding publishedMore measures
| 81.5%started cancer treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral or screening (standard 85%; England 69.6%), June to August 2026, provisional | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.3 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital: Good (CQC report for Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital) Royal Hampshire County Hospital: Good (CQC report for Royal Hampshire County Hospital) |
| Isle of Wight NHS TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: St Mary’s Hospital | Fewer than 600402 women who had surgery for early breast cancer, 2021 to 2023 (3 years) | 14.4%National: 16.2% (unadjusted)No banding publishedMore measures
| 79.4%started cancer treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral or screening (standard 85%; England 69.6%), June to August 2026, provisional | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 7.9 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Requires improvement (CQC report for St Mary's Hospital) |
| Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Fordcombe Hospital, Maidstone Hospital, The Tunbridge Wells Hospital at Pembury | 1,000 to 1,4991,380 women who had surgery for early breast cancer, 2021 to 2023 (3 years) | 17.5%National: 16.2% (unadjusted)No banding publishedMore measures
| 81.6%started cancer treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral or screening (standard 85%; England 69.6%), June to August 2026, provisional | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.1 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Fordcombe Hospital: Good (CQC report for Fordcombe Hospital) Maidstone Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for Maidstone Hospital) The Tunbridge Wells Hospital at Pembury: Requires improvement (CQC report for The Tunbridge Wells Hospital at Pembury) |
| Medway NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Medway Maritime Hospital | 600 to 999798 women who had surgery for early breast cancer, 2021 to 2023 (3 years) | 18.9%National: 16.2% (unadjusted)No banding publishedMore measures
| 83.4%started cancer treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral or screening (standard 85%; England 69.6%), June to August 2026, provisional | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 7.8 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Requires improvement (CQC report for Medway Maritime Hospital) |
| Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Milton Keynes Hospital | 600 to 999661 women who had surgery for early breast cancer, 2021 to 2023 (3 years) | 20.0%National: 16.2% (unadjusted)No banding publishedMore measures
| 47.8%started cancer treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral or screening (standard 85%; England 69.6%), June to August 2026, provisional | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Good (CQC report for Milton Keynes Hospital) |
| Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Churchill Hospital, Horton General Hospital, John Radcliffe Hospital, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre | 1,500 or more1,507 women who had surgery for early breast cancer, 2021 to 2023 (3 years) | 20.2%National: 16.2% (unadjusted)No banding publishedMore measures
| 72.6%started cancer treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral or screening (standard 85%; England 69.6%), June to August 2026, provisional | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.2 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Churchill Hospital: Good (CQC report for Churchill Hospital) Horton General Hospital: Good (CQC report for Horton General Hospital) John Radcliffe Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for John Radcliffe Hospital) Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre: Good (CQC report for Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre) |
| Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Petersfield Hospital, Queen Alexandra Hospital | 1,000 to 1,4991,492 women who had surgery for early breast cancer, 2021 to 2023 (3 years) | 18.9%National: 16.2% (unadjusted)No banding publishedMore measures
| 66%started cancer treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral or screening (standard 85%; England 69.6%), June to August 2026, provisional | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Good (CQC report for Queen Alexandra Hospital) |
| Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Royal Berkshire Hospital | 1,000 to 1,4991,031 women who had surgery for early breast cancer, 2021 to 2023 (3 years) | 28.8%National: 16.2% (unadjusted)No banding publishedMore measures
| 87.8%started cancer treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral or screening (standard 85%; England 69.6%), June to August 2026, provisional | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.3 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Good (CQC report for Royal Berkshire Hospital) |
| Royal Surrey NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Royal Surrey County Hospital | 600 to 999924 women who had surgery for early breast cancer, 2021 to 2023 (3 years) | 20.1%National: 16.2% (unadjusted)No banding publishedMore measures
| 79.1%started cancer treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral or screening (standard 85%; England 69.6%), June to August 2026, provisional | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.5 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Outstanding (CQC report for Royal Surrey County Hospital) |
| Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Crawley Hospital, East Surrey Hospital | 600 to 999884 women who had surgery for early breast cancer, 2021 to 2023 (3 years) | 17.1%National: 16.2% (unadjusted)No banding publishedMore measures
| 47.5%started cancer treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral or screening (standard 85%; England 69.6%), June to August 2026, provisional | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.2 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Crawley Hospital: Good (CQC report for Crawley Hospital) East Surrey Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for East Surrey Hospital) |
| University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Princess Anne Hospital, Southampton General Hospital | 1,000 to 1,4991,194 women who had surgery for early breast cancer, 2021 to 2023 (3 years) | 18.2%National: 16.2% (unadjusted)No banding publishedMore measures
| 88.6%started cancer treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral or screening (standard 85%; England 69.6%), June to August 2026, provisional | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.3 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Princess Anne Hospital: Good (CQC report for Princess Anne Hospital) Southampton General Hospital: Good (CQC report for Southampton General Hospital) |
| University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Bexhill Hospital, Lewes Victoria Hospital, Princess Royal Hospital, Royal Sussex County Hospital, Southlands Hospital, St Richard’s Hospital, Worthing Hospital | 1,500 or more2,425 women who had surgery for early breast cancer, 2021 to 2023 (3 years) | 11.9%National: 16.2% (unadjusted)No banding publishedMore measures
| 65.8%started cancer treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral or screening (standard 85%; England 69.6%), June to August 2026, provisional | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.4 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Bexhill Hospital: Good (CQC report for Bexhill Hospital) Princess Royal Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for Princess Royal Hospital) Royal Sussex County Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for Royal Sussex County Hospital) Southlands Hospital: Good (CQC report for Southlands Hospital) St Richard's Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for St Richard's Hospital) Worthing Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for Worthing 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 115 NHS trusts in the NAoPri table in the published table, rounded. So about a quarter of NHS trusts in the NAoPri table 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 England (unadjusted), from the NAoPri 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 Audit of Primary Breast Cancer (NAoPri) State of the Nation 2026 data tables, NATCAN for HQIP. Source: National Audit of Primary Breast Cancer (NAoPri), NATCAN / HQIP, 2026, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
- 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
- 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 breast cancer in women (NHS website)
- National Audit of Primary Breast Cancer (NATCAN)
- Cancer Waiting Times (NHS England)
- Adult inpatient survey (Care Quality Commission)
Spotted something out of date? Tell us.