Half of GPs have urgent cancer referrals turned down to save NHS cash

HALF of family doctors have been blocked from sending patients for urgent cancer scans.

GPs are meant to refer any patient suspected of having cancer for a hospital test within two weeks.

But 46 per cent said at least one of their referrals had been blocked or downgraded by NHS cost-cutting staff in the last year, according to a survey of 507 family doctors by GP Online website.

This leads to patients waiting much longer for a diagnosis – and for life-saving treatment.

One GP said he had repeatedly tried to refer a child for urgent blood tests, but was turned down by hospital doctors. Eventually the tests were carried out and the child is now being treated for advanced lymphoma – a form of blood cancer.

When the same survey was carried out two years ago, just 31 per cent said that their referrals had been blocked.

Britain’s cancer survival rates are amongst the worst in western Europe, with GPs often blamed for spotting symptoms late.

But family doctors point out they are actively discouraged from referring patients for tests because NHS managers are intent on saving money. And nearly a quarter whose referrals had been blocked said the patient in question did turn out to have cancer.

Dr Richard Roope, of Cancer Research UK, said: ‘GPs have been working hard to help diagnose cancers earlier, and it would be a shame if this is reversed due to a lack of resources. Investing in diagnostics will not only help cancer patients get an earlier diagnosis, but it could also reduce the demands on general practice, save money in the long run and improve patient outcomes.’

Dr Richard Vautrey, of the British Medical Association’s GP committee, said: ‘At a time when there

‘Working hard to diagnose earlier’

is an increased focus on reducing any unnecessary delays in diagnosing cancer, it is a concern that there remains so much variability in the ability of GPs to access appropriate diagnostic services.’

If GPs’ referrals are blocked they have to go through the process again, which can take several days. Downgraded patients are offered a non-urgent scan and may have to wait several weeks.

NHS England said watchdog Nice had guidelines to help family doctors detect cancer earlier and referrals in line with these ‘should not generally be passed back to the GP for further assessment’.