A survey of oncologists and haematologists in Scotland has revealed that over 39% are aware of cancer patients who have relocated to England to receive treatment.
Nearly 96% of those surveyed consider access to cancer therapies to be better in England than Scotland, with 50% highlighting that restricted access has lowered Scotland’s standard of care compared to the rest of Europe. There are nearly 40 cancer therapies not available to clinicians in Scotland that are available in other parts of the UK that they would consider using – spanning an array of cancer types and multiple indications. This has resulted in cancer patients relocating to England to seek treatment but clinicians are also considering relocating; 14% of consultants surveyed state they have considered moving to a location where they can prescribe the cancer medicines they want to. Clinicians list a total of 34 drugs rejected by the body responsible for advising on the use of new medicines by NHS Scotland, the Scottish Medicines Consortium that they would like to have access to. There is also a more long-term impact on Scottish healthcare systems; 46% of oncologists and haematologists perceived that fewer clinicians are moving to Scotland to practice in cancer and 7% of consultants even consider terminating working in the field of oncology as a result of the restrictions in access to new cancer therapies.
