Cancer backlog ‘will worsen’ as junior doctors walk out

THE NHS will miss its cancer target by a year, officials warned as they suggested strikes by junior doctors planned for next week could make the backlog worse.

It was hoped that the backlog of patients waiting longer than 62 days for treatment after an urgent GP referral for suspected cancer would return to pre-pandemic levels by this month. However, NHS officials told MPS that a new target of March 2024 was being discussed with ministers.

Dame Cally Palmer, national cancer director for NHS England, told the Commons health and social care committee: “I’m concerned about the junior doctors industrial action and think it will create even further impact for patients.

“Sometimes it’s quite hard to reschedule cancer care because it’s multiple teams.”

The NHS has seen a record number of cancer referrals since March 2021. The rise has been linked to several factors including those who put off seeking care during the pandemic now coming forward and high-profile cancer deaths.

Latest figures show that 62 per cent of patients were seen within the 62-day target in December, against an operational standard of 85 per cent.