26
Nov 2019
‘Cancer survival rates at risk’ due to NHS staff shortages
A report by the Scottish Parliament’s Cross-Party Group on Cancer has indicated that progress on cancer treatment has stalled in Scotland due to a lack of funding and staff shortages.
The soon to be published report, which has been described as “deeply concerning” by Cancer Research UK, found that 18% of cancer patients in the month of June were not seen within the six week target.
It is estimated that as the population in Scotland increases and the average age rises, 40,000 people will be diagnosed with some form of the disease every year by 2035, compared with 32,200 now.
Abas Sarwar, convener of the Group, said the report was an “urgent wake-up call” for the government, adding that a shortage of radiologists meant patients had a longer wait to be diagnosed before they can begin their cancer treatment.
Mr Sarwar added “This is a global shortage of workforce, but the specific challenge we have in Scotland is that cancer is our biggest killer. We are going backwards in terms of the vacancy rates, we are going backwards in terms of the six-week treatment time.
He went on to say that a “comprehensive workforce plan” which had been promised by the Scottish government last summer had been delayed until early next year and that ministers needed to consider how to attract, train and retain domestic and international staff, bring down locum fees and stop early retirements.
Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said the Scottish government need to “publish a long-term cancer workforce plan” to enable the NHS to prepare for future rising demand.
She added “The findings of this inquiry are deeply concerning. Diagnosing cancer early can make all the difference, but there are major shortages in the staff trained to carry out the tests that diagnose cancer.”
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 304 738
- Like this ? Share with friends