Cancer patients to face delays as virus peaks
Doctors may prioritise those with better survival chances when NHS takes on bulk of Covid-19 cases
CANCER waiting times could rise and doctors may have to prioritise patients with better survival chances when the Covid-19 outbreak peaks, experts have warned. In a worst-case scenario, scientists believe the NHS will come under “huge pressure” if predictions that half of all infections occuring within a three week window come to fruition.
In such a case, it is feared the NHS may have to delay cancer treatments, as well as routine operations because of a surge in demand and a drop in staffing levels.
Last night Eve Byrne, head of campaigns and public affairs at Macmillan Cancer Support, said that “cancer treatment should always remain a priority”. According to NHS guidelines, patients should be seen by a cancer specialist within two weeks of an initial urgent referral from a GP. They should wait no more than two months between a referral and receiving treatment.
But in December, before the outbreak hit Britain, only 92 per cent of patients were seen within two weeks, while just 96 per cent were treated within the two month window.
Experts believe these figures will fall further if coronavirus becomes widespread in the UK. Case numbers are currently doubling every two days.
“Undoubtedly if it’s really bad I could well imagine cases that would normally be classed as urgent being deferred because there are no beds available, or even because there are not enough healthcare staff to treat patients,” said Prof Paul Hunter, professor of medicine at the University of East Anglia.
Prof Hunter said that radiography, a specialist field, could be particularly hard hit by staffing shortages. In China and Italy this situation is already unfolding as the coronavirus outbreak has led to a shortage of hospital beds and doctors. Prof Karol Sikora, a leading cancer specialist and medical director
VIDEO hearings are to be introduced more widely in British courts to ensure criminal trials continue to function smoothly during the coronavirus crisis.
The Government announced today it is to consider allowing certain civil proceedings in the magistrates’ courts to be conducted via telephone or video. of the Rutherford Cancer Centres, said: “One of my biggest worries is if so many staff are ill and self-isolating, will you be able to run an effective cancer treatment system? That could have an adverse effect on survival from cancer.”
Both Prof Hunter and Prof Sikora both said that doctors may even be forced to prioritise the most urgent cases. “Hodgkin’s disease, lymphoma, leukemia, testicular cancer – these diseases are curable and therefore could have priority,” said Prof Sikora. “The cancers that are not so curable but are also slow growing, like lung cancer and
It also wants to see expansion of live links in criminal proceedings.
Whitehall sources said the measures were to ensure that individuals forced to self-isolate could still be represented in court, while ensuring courts can continue to dispense justice.
Announcing the measures, which are expected to be included in a forthcoming emergency Bill, Matt Hancock, pancreatic cancer, you could delay by a month and it wouldn’t make much difference to outcomes.”
A spokesman for the NHS, said: “As the public would expect, the NHS is preparing for all possible scenarios, with staff working round the clock to respond and as the virus develops.”
Emma Greenwood, of Cancer Research UK, said: “Understandably, this uncertainty will be distressing for people with long-term health problems, including cancer. But we are confident that the Government is putting plans in place.” the Health Secretary, said: safety is my top priority.”
A number of trials have been delayed by the crisis. A case of breach of the peace in Forfar, near Dundee, was adjourned because two witnesses had recently returned from Thailand.
The Belfast murder trial of veteran Dennis Hutchings, 78, was adjourned on Friday over concerns for his health.
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