Chain of fast track centres to speed up cancer battle

A NATIONAL network of centres for the early diagnosis of cancer will be set up if Labour win the election.

The plan is to speed up treatment by slashing the time patients have to wait from 62 days to 28.

The centres would be staffed by cancer specialists and could operate out of health centres, hospitals and even GP surgeries.

They would have the equipment needed to screen patients on one site as soon as they are referred by GPs.

The money will come from the £37billion increase Labour is promising the NHS over the next five years.

There are 2.5 million people living with cancer and under the Tories 26,000 patients wait more than two months for treatment.

Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth said: “That is shameful in 21st century Britain. Cancer doesn’t wait.

“We want to invest in the NHS to give cancer patients quick diagnosis and the quality of care they deserve.

“If we want to defeat cancer we’ve got to get really serious about it.”

Mr Ashworth is particularly keen to ensure lung cancer is spotted earlier. It is Britain’s biggest cancer killer, claiming 35,500 lives a year.

Mr Ashworth is also concerned by figures which show nearly six in ten consultant breast radiologists will retire by 2025, while 13 per cent of posts are unfilled.

He added: “To get the best trained health staff in the world the NHS must be one of the best employers in the world.

“Theresa May’s plans for the NHS mean waiting lists will escalate and standards will deteriorate.”