Investigation reveals cancellations of cancer appointments
An investigation has revealed that tens of thousands of cancer appointments have been cancelled due to NHS strikes. Since the walkouts began in December 2022, around 36,000 appointments have had to be rescheduled. This has raised concerns about the impact on the care and treatment of cancer patients.
Risks to cancer patients highlighted by Labour and Cancer Research UK
Wes Streeting, Labour’s shadow health secretary, has warned that the delays caused by the strikes are putting cancer patients' lives at risk. Michelle Mitchell, of Cancer Research UK, has also expressed concern about the disruption to the care of cancer patients due to the industrial action. Both parties are urging all involved to work together to quickly resolve the ongoing issues and ensure that life-saving services are not compromised.
NHS long term affected by strikes, warns NHS Providers
Miriam Deakin, of NHS Providers, has highlighted the increasing impact of the strikes on patients and the NHS in the long term. Trust leaders are eager to focus on patient care, but the industrial action is hindering their efforts to address backlogs. With another challenging winter approaching for the NHS, resolving the pay dispute between the government and unions has become a top priority.
Joint strike action by junior doctors and consultants
Junior doctors and consultants are set to strike together for the first time ever next week, further complicating the situation within the health service. The action has been organised by the BMA, which has received a renewed mandate for six months. The union is demanding a 35% pay increase, while the government's offer ranges from six to 10%. The ongoing strikes are estimated to affect more than 1 million appointments across England by the end of the year.
Data reveals the impact on cancer appointments
Data obtained by Labour through Freedom of Information requests to hospital trusts across the country has shown the specific impact on cancer appointments. 35 out of 137 acute trusts in England responded, reporting 9,310 cancelled appointments and operations due to the industrial action. If this trend is consistent across all trusts, it is estimated that around 36,422 appointments have been missed since December 2022.
Cancer patients' lives at risk due to refusal to engage, says Wes Streeting
Wes Streeting has emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that delays in cancer treatment can cost lives. Drawing from his own personal experience with kidney cancer, Streeting has criticized the government's refusal to engage with NHS doctors, which he claims is putting cancer patients at risk.
