Shortage of cancer doctors could lead to delay in treatments
- 21.03.2019
- JessicaMG
- Clinical-negligence, Clinical-negligence
The Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) has warned that a shortage of cancer doctors will mean the NHS is unable to provide cutting edge care.
A recent census carried out by the RCR focused on the number of consultant clinical oncologists - those who specialising in chemotherapy and radio therapy - working at 62 major cancer centres in the UK.
The census found that there were 863 full-time senior cancer doctors in post. However, there were a total of 70 vacant posts, which equates to a 7.5% vacancy rate – an increase of 2.5% over the past five years.
The census also found that services are currently being maintained by large amount of overtime. Full time doctors were working over six hours extra per week, which the RCR has said is unsustainable and would put treatments at risk. Taking this overtime into account means the shortfall increases to 184 oncologists – a 21.3% vacancy rate.
RCR has said it is worried that a shortage in doctors would result in delays to patients receiving treatments - only last week, NHS England figures revealed that long waits were at a 20-year high.
However, the number of clinical oncologists working in the NHS is currently increasing at a rate of 5% annually and the government has promised more money to the NHS. Furthermore, services will have an extra £20bn a year by 2023 in England, with cancer a key priority for spending, and the number of doctors in training is also rising.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Health and Social Care in England said that ‘improving cancer care and reducing waits is a priority for the NHS’ and added that they recently unveiled ‘a series of commitments as part of the NHS Long Term Plan backed by £200m to fund new ways to rapidly detect and treat cancer’.
Lesley Herbertson, Clinical Negligence Solicitor and Partner at PRD, comments:
It is significant that the shortage of medical staff specialising in cancer treatments has been highlighted and reassuring to hear that steps are being taken to reverse the negative trend. Unfortunately, a lack of resources in cancer care can lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment which can have devastating consequences for patients and their families.
Lesley Herbertson is a clinical negligence solicitor here at Potter Rees Dolan. Should you have any queries about clinical negligence issues or indeed any other aspect of this article and wish to speak to Lesley or any other member of the team please contact us on 0161 237 5888 or email Lesley directly.