Tens of thousands of cancer patients ‘at risk’ due to NHS strikes, investigation shows
TENS of thousands of cancer appointments have been cancelled because of NHS strikes, an investigation shows.
Around 36,000 appointments have had to be rescheduled since walkouts began in December 2022, according to an analysis.
Wes Streeting, Labour’s shadow health secretary, said the delays are “putting cancer patients at risk”.
Michelle Mitchell, of Cancer Research UK, said: “Cancer patients rely on the dedicated work of NHS staff, and it’s concerning that industrial action is causing disruption to their care.
“We urge all parties to work together to quickly reach an agreement and ensure that people affected by cancer don’t miss out on life-saving services.”
Miriam Deakin, of NHS Providers, said: “The longer these strikes continue, the greater the impact on patients and the NHS long term.
“Trust leaders are desperate to focus on their number one priority – patient care – but industrial action is hampering their hard efforts to bear down on backlogs.
“With another tough winter for the NHS on the horizon, resolving the ongoing pay dispute between the government and unions must be paramount.”
Junior doctors and consultants are set to strike together for the first time ever next week, with industrial action continuing to wreak havoc on the health service.
The BMA, which has organised the action, had its mandate renewed for another six months after trainee medics voted in favour of more walkouts.
They are demanding a 35 per cent pay hike but the Government has held firm on its offer of between six and 10 per cent.
More than 1million appointments across England will have been hit by strikes by the end of the year.
The new data from Labour on cancer appointments was sourced from Freedom of Information requests to hospital trusts across the country.
Some 35 of England’s 137 acute trusts responded, saying 9,310 appointments and operations had been cancelled because of industrial action.
If this trend was the case across all trusts, around 36,422 appointments will have been missed since December 1, 2022.
Mr Streeting said: “When it comes to cancer, delays cost lives.
“From my own experience of kidney cancer, I know the importance of fast treatment.
“Ministers’ stubborn refusal to meet with NHS doctors is putting cancer patients at risk.”