4.4m missed out on vital tests in lockdown

MORE than four million patients missed out on potentially life- saving scans during lockdown, figures reveal.

In England, at least 4.4million fewer scans were performed between April and September compared with a year ago.

The NHS statistics, analysed by the BBC, highlight the devastating consequences of the pandemic on treatment for other conditions. One in seven now waits more than three months for a scan as the NHS attempts to clear the backlog. The delays mean thousands are being diagnosed with cancer at a later stage, harming their chances of survival.

The overall waiting list in England for one of the 15 main diagnostic tests rose by 250,000 to 1.27million between April and September. This includes CT scans, ultrasounds and MRI scans. Patients face the longest waits in regions that have suffered the most from Covid.

In the North West, one in three was waiting more than six weeks in October, compared with one in five in the South East.

Jody Moffatt, head of early diagnosis for Cancer Research UK, said: ‘There is a cohort of patients out there that have not been diagnosed yet – and who knows what state they will be in when they are.’

NHS England said CT scans were now back to the same levels as last year, and MRI scans are back to 88 per cent of the number carried out last October.

A spokesman said: ‘The NHS message to the public remains the same. Come forward and get the care you need.’

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