Ministers are under increasing pressure to address the cancer backlog after it was revealed that meeting a critical NHS target will take another year. NHS England has warned that the post-Covid catch-up drive has overwhelmed hospitals with the number of people seeking cancer treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was hoped that by March 2023, the backlog of patients waiting more than 62 days for an urgent GP referral for suspected cancer would be reduced to pre-pandemic levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But NHS officials told MPs that a new target of March 2024 is being discussed with ministers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And they raised concerns that planned strikes by junior doctors could have a \u201cfurther impact\u201d on cancer patients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The health service has seen a record number of referrals for cancer since March 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This has been prompted by the number of people who put off seeking care during the pandemic now coming forward and the growth in cancer rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
More people are also coming forward as a result of public awareness campaigns or high profile cancer deaths, such as Dame Deborah James.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It has led to fresh calls for further government investment in Radiotherapy – which is regarded as a secret weapon in the war on cancer.<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Ministers are under increasing pressure to address the cancer backlog after it was revealed that meeting a critical NHS target will take another year. NHS England has warned that the … <\/p>\n