We all know that an early cancer diagnosis is key to improving survival rates. That’s why the recent news, revealed in a 52- page MP’s report, is so shocking
The Cancer Services report stated that 340,000 cancer patients between 2019 and 2028 will face a late diagnosis because of the current NHS staff shortages. It details a serious inability to fill gaps in the cancer care workforce – which is resulting in patient backlogs and preventable losses.
Lack of planning
The report also found that there had been no plan to address shortages of clinical oncologists, consultant pathologists, radiologists and specialist cancer nurses. This is obviously putting patients at risk, when it comes to both diagnosis and treatment, and additionally causing survival rates to fall.
The Covid crisis obviously exacerbated the problems in cancer care. Between March 2020 and March 2021, 326,000 fewer people in England received an urgent referral for suspected cancer, whilst 4.6m fewer key diagnostic tests were conducted in the same period. And the problems have not gone away yet, with evidence of ‘vital’ cancer surgeries still being cancelled during the latest wave of the pandemic.
Act now
The Health and Social Care Committee is calling on the Government and the NHS to act now to address gaps in the cancer workforce. Stating that “Neither earlier diagnosis nor additional prompt cancer treatment will be possible without addressing gaps in the cancer workforce and we found little evidence of a serious effort to do this yet.”
Kiran Jalota, Head of Medical Negligence and Personal Injury at Alsters Kelley Solicitors agrees. “The results of this report are damning and causing unnecessary fears for people worried they might have cancer, or who are living with cancer.”
Kiran continues. “We hope that the Government’s promise to invest £8bn over the next three years to cut the backlog and deliver an extra 9m checks, scans and operations by 2025, as well as up to 160 community diagnostic centres, will happen. Only by making cancer care a priority and ensuring better funding and essential staffing, can we prevent people dying younger and unnecessarily.”
Free initial meeting for support and advice
At Alsters Kelley, our approach is personal, sensitive, and caring.
If you have any concerns about a diagnosis or treatment of cancer for yourself or a family member and would like help or advice, please contact Kiran Jalota on 01926 356030 or email kiran.jalota@alsterskelley.com.
Call now 01926 356 030 to arrange a free consultation with one of our experienced medical negligence lawyers at any of our six offices.
You can also join us at our Medical Negligence free drop-in sessions every third Wednesday of the month from our Nuneaton office.