Open Access News Cancer Research News Long waits for cancer care become routine across the UK June 13, 2024 image: @shapecharge | iStock Long waits for cancer care have become normal across the UK, with nearly half of all specialist cancer centres experiencing delays most weeks, according to the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) The RCR has raised alarms about an “impending crisis” in the cancer workforce, citing a “staggering” 30% shortfall in radiologists and a 15% shortfall in clinical oncologists. These shortages are impacting patient care, leading to longer waiting times for essential treatments. Delays in cancer treatment A recent survey by the RCR, conducted in November 2023, collected responses from senior managers at 60 specialist cancer centres across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
The findings revealed that the number of centres experiencing severe delays had almost doubled in a year. Specifically, 47% of sites reported that patients needing chemotherapy and other cancer drugs faced delays “most weeks or every week,” up from 28% the previous year. Centres reporting weekly delays for radiotherapy nearly doubled from 22% in 2022 to 43% in 2023.
Health systems across the UK have struggled to meet cancer treatment targets since before the Covid pandemic. As of March, NHS data showed that only 69% of patients in England received their first cancer treatment within 62 days, against a target of 85%. Cancer Research UK’s new analysis highli.
