NHS services for diagnosing cancer are underfunded, understaffed, and key waiting time targets are being missed, according to two new reports from Cancer Research UK. The reports, which highlight the growing pressures on services for imaging and endoscopy, concluded:
- There is a workforce shortage for diagnostic services, including nurse endoscopists and radiologists.
- Too many patients are waiting too long for tests and waiting times are worsening.
- There is a shortage of imaging equipment, and much of the existing kit is outdated and needs replacing
The endoscopy report, produced by the University of Birmingham, predicts that more than 750,000 extra endoscopies will need to be performed each year in the UK by 2020 – around a 44% rise from today’s levels. These tests are carried out to investigate a range of symptoms and diagnose many different diseases – not just cancer. There will be an increase in demand because of the ageing and growing population – meaning more people with symptoms will need testing – as well as changes being made to the national bowel screening programme.
The second report, produced by the agency 2020 Delivery, cites an under-resourced workforce and outdated equipment as the two major concerns with NHS imaging services. Imaging tests for cancer include CT scans, MRI and ultrasound, among others. They are vital in helping doctors to diagnose and monitor the disease, as well as a range of other health conditions. It will cost an estimated £215m to replace old imaging equipment, with extra needed to pay for additional kit to meet the growing demand from all patients using these services.
Sara Hiom, Cancer Research UK’s director for early diagnosis, said: “The state of NHS diagnostic services is deeply concerning – and new GP referral guidelines from NICE mean that even more patients will be waiting for these tests.
“There aren’t enough trained staff, they are often reliant on outdated equipment and in many cases they are already operating services seven days a week. GPs do not have the access they need and that means patients are waiting too long for tests. This has to change if doctors are to diagnose more people with cancer earlier, when treatment is more effective.
“These reports looked at imaging and endoscopy capacity but the underlying themes seem to be true across all cancer diagnostic services. But these tests aren’t just for people with cancer – if the Government is looking to spend wisely then investing more in NHS diagnostic services is an obvious value-for-money choice.”
