NHS leaders urge Government to bring forward workforce strategy in light of the impact of shortages on cancer patients

Responding to the Royal College of Radiologist's warning on the impact of workforce shortages on UK cancer patients, Rory Deighton Acute Lead at the NHS Confederation said:

“This latest report once again shines a light on the stark impact of staff shortages on patient care.  Whilst the NHS has been making huge strides in seeing and treating patients with cancer, with a record high for cancer referrals in March 2022 and 28,378 people starting treatment for cancer in March, the NHS still desperately needs a fully costed and funded workforce plan to address the huge number of vacancies in the workforce.  

“NHS leaders welcome the fact that the health secretary has committed to a fifteen-year strategy that addresses NHS staffing, but the Government simply cannot delay any longer the need for a public, accountable and fully funded workforce plan that tackles the immediate staffing crisis. 

“The impact of these staff shortages is being felt across the board and this report shows the stark reality of a shortfall of clinical oncologists and radiologists and the real concern about the impact this is having on NHS cancer patients.”