Doctors warn NHS cancer care will suffer again if Winter Covid cases spiral

MPs have been warned by top doctors that cancer care will inevitably be sacrificed again this winter if Covid cases spiral and survival rates could stall over the next decade due to the impact of coronavirus on the NHS.

 

Thousands of cancer patients had crucial treatment cancelled or postponed during the pandemic as staff and hospital beds were diverted towards Covid.

 

Professor Mike Griffin, a prominent cancer surgeon, warned that he was concerned care “will take a hit again in the coming weeks over winter” due to the pressures already facing the NHS, with increasing numbers of people attending A&E, a lack of hospital beds and nursing and social care shortages.

 

According to the Institute for Public Policy Research, during the height of the crisis from March 2020 to February 2021, 369,000 fewer people than expected were referred to a specialist with suspected cancer.  The number of chemotherapy treatments also fell by 187,000, while there were 15,000 fewer radiotherapy treatments.

 

Speaking to a group of MPs, Professor Griffin said cancer surgery is “back up and running” and close to pre-pandemic levels.

 

However, he added “I am concerned that with the present wave (of Covid) the increased footfall through A&E, the problem with nursing care, beds being closed and not being available, and social care issues of not getting patients out, the number of beds in the hospitals … that cancer surgery will once again take a hit in the coming weeks over winter.”

 

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.

 

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