Record 4.4MILLION waiting for surgery
...and 35k fewer cancer cases diagnosed in first lockdown
TENS of thousands of cancer cases have gone undiagnosed while NHS waiting lists have soared to a record high.
Some 4.46 million people in England are waiting for non- emergency surgery, the highest figure since records began in 2007.
Some 192,000 have been waiting more than a year for life-changing operations such as hip and knee replacements.
This is around a 160-fold increase since before the pandemic began in February, when just 1,163 had been waiting for a year. The NHS waiting list data goes up only until the end of November – and doctors say the total will keep rising.
Separate figures yesterday revealed that during the first wave of the pandemic around 35,000 fewer people were diagnosed with cancer than would be expected. Experts said the delays will cost lives, allowing tumours to grow.
The data from Public Health England’s National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service shows 106,732 cases were diagnosed between April and September 2020, down from 142,324 the previous year. It also revealed that cancer surgery has plummeted, with the number of cancer operations in August down nearly a third on 2019 levels.
Sara Bainbridge, head of policy at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: ‘This data confirms our fears that tens of thousands of people are missing a cancer diagnosis due to the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
‘Behind each statistic is a real person, many of whom may now be diagnosed with cancer at a later stage, which could affect their chances of survival.’
NHS England figures also show that at least 12,000 fewer heart operations than expected took place in England in the year to November 2020 – around one third lower than usual. Dr Sonya BabuNarayan, associate medical director at the British Heart Foundation, said: ‘The significant backlog of people needing heart treatment will keep growing as Covid-19 cases soar. This may only be the tip of the iceberg as the true scale of the disruption to cardiovascular healthcare is still unknown.’
In recent weeks, hospitals have cancelled non-urgent surgery to free up space for Covid patients.
Professor Neil Mortensen, president of the Royal College of Surgeons, said: ‘For thousands of people in this country, a corrective operation is the best way to relieve debilitating pain and get them back up on their feet, back to work and enjoying life again. These are often called routine operations, but in fact they are life-changing.
‘As the virus surges again, many elective or planned surgeries are falling over and they are going to be added to the waiting list. In addition to that, there’s a hidden waiting list of patients who have not come forward.’
Dr Chaand Nagpaul, from the British Medical Association, said: ‘The number of people who have waited for more than a year for routine treatment rose dramatically in November and is the highest level since 2008. This figure will undoubtedly have risen since as NHS care has become further disrupted by skyrocketing Covid19 hospitalisations.’
Siva Anandaciva, of the King’s Fund think-tank, said: ‘Today’s figures show that the NHS is now under the most extreme pressure seen in recent history and is battling on multiple fronts.
‘Staff are exhausted, wards are overflowing and patients face long waits for routine and emergency care, with many procedures being cancelled or postponed.’ NHS national medical director Professor Stephen Powis said: ‘ There is no doubt that services will continue to be under additional pressure until and unless this virus is under control, which is why it’s so important that everyone practises social distancing and follows guidance.’
A spokesman for the NHS added: ‘Going into the most recent period of pressure for the NHS and thanks to the hard work of staff, cancer treatment and referrals were at usual levels, with more than 200,000 people referred for checks and more than 25,000 starting treatment in November.’
‘Staff are exhausted’
ONE reason the pandemic must urgently be defeated is so the NHS can begin defusing the terrifying timebomb of nonCovid patients.
Look at the devastating evidence. A record 4.4 million people needing hospital treatment. A shocking 200,000 waiting for operations for at least 12 months, up from 1,100 a year ago. Each day, loved ones needlessly lost to heart attacks and cancer.
But to afford an NHS fit to tackle this predicament, Britain’s economy must be all guns blazing. If swathes of firms fold and jobs disappear, who will pay the taxes to fund public services?
The good news is Covid cases are starting to tumble. The bad news? Scientists are demanding this gruelling lockdown lasts beyond Easter. That would be disastrous. Businesses are already on their knees.
Once the vaccine takes hold, Mr Johnson must lift curbs as soon as possible. A second too long will kill off the economic golden goose that protects our health and wealth.