Cancer charities warns backlog in England could take more than five years to clear

Charities have today warned that England’s cancer backlog will not be tackled for another five years without further action.

 

MacMillan estimates that 32,000 fewer patients than expected have commenced their first treatment in the two years since the start of the pandemic, due to a combination of poor GP access, patients being reluctant to come forward and hospitals prioritising Covid patients.

 

Although more cancer cases have now started to trickle through the system, the charity estimates at the current rate it will take until September 2027 to clear the backlog.

 

The charity’s chief executive Lynda Thomas, said the backlog was “worse than predicted” and the timeline for a return to normal was “completely unacceptable”.

 

The charity has also claimed that more people with cancer are slipping under the radar.

 

Ms Thomas said “It is deeply troubling to see thousands of people still facing unacceptably long waits for a cancer diagnosis and treatment.

 

“We are hearing every day from people who are experiencing huge amounts of anxiety and distress that any delays could impact their health and chances of recovery.

 

Everyone deserves high quality care that addresses all of their needs.  But right now, the NHS does not have enough cancer professionals to provide this support and people living with cancer are facing detrimental effects to their physical health and overall wellbeing as a result.”

 

Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events.  Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.

 

If you believe that you or a relative may have been injured as a result of clinical/medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our medical negligence solicitors on the freephone number below.

 

Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

 

Freephone : 0800 304 7382