19 June 2023 , 23:01
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One in five NHS patients whose cancer treatment has been delayed think the hold-up made their condition worse, research shows.
They reported being left with fewer treatment options such as surgery no longer being possible.
The study by MacMillan Cancer Support covers people diagnosed in the past decade.
A report by the charity found a collapse in waiting time standards since 2014 has resulted in 180,000 dangerous treatment delays.
Its chief executive Gemma Peters said: “Cancer care is in crisis after years of governments failing to act.” The NHS constitution says there should be no more than a 62-day wait from urgent GP referral for suspected cancer to first treatment.
Teachers, civil servants and train drivers walk out in biggest strike in decade
The target that at least 85 per cent of patients should be treated in this time has not been achieved since 2015. If it standard had been met between 2014 and 2022, then 180,000 more people would have started treatment on time.
MacMillan’s analysis reveals performance against Government-set cancer waiting times targets was the worst on record in 2022 in all four UK nations.
Separate analysis shows Britain’s NHS waiting list has topped nine million appointments.
Patients are waiting for 9.2 million consultations or procedures as of March.
The waiting list was already at record levels before the pandemic and has risen by 3.6 million since. Brett Hill, at Broadstone consultancy, which did the analysis, said: “The picture is bleak.”
Dr Tony O’Sullivan, co-chair of Keep Our NHS Public, said the NHS has been “critically neglected” by the government.
Figures show 539,231 appointments, procedures and operations have been postponed in England as a result of strikes since December. This does not include figures on last week’s 72-hour walkout by junior doctors from the British Medical Association.