According to the recently published NHS England’s Cancer Waiting Times data, London fared worse than England indicating serious delays in diagnosis and treatment.
From March 2020 to February 2021, so in the 12 months since the start of the pandemic, more than 87,000 fewer people have received diagnostic tests following an urgent suspected cancer referral from a GP in London putting them at risk of a late diagnosis. This is an overall drop of 22%, much larger than the England average drop of 15%.
During the same period, 5,300 fewer people started their first cancer treatment in London compared to the year before. This is an overall drop of 14%, larger than the England average drop of 12%.
More specifically, of the 5,300, a large proportion (more than 3,500 people) have not started their first cancer treatment following an urgent GP referral in London compared to the year before. This is an overall drop of 19%, almost twice as high as the England average drop of 10%.
Just in February 2021, almost 4,000 fewer people in London (13% less) saw a specialist following an urgent suspected cancer referral from a GP compared to February 2020, putting them at risk of a late diagnosis. This is a larger drop than the England average, which saw an 8% drop.
Sara Bainbridge, Head of Policy at Macmillan Cancer Support, said:
“Today’s data further illustrates the catastrophic impact of Covid-19 on cancer diagnosis and treatment. In London, thousands of people are still missing a diagnosis since the start of the pandemic, which could affect their prognosis.
“It’s vital that cancer services continue to be prioritised and that those with cancer are not forgotten. To address the extensive challenges that lie ahead, the NHS urgently needs a long-term, fully funded plan for its workforce, ensuring there are more dedicated to provide the best care for cancer patients, now and in the future.”
Donal Gallagher, Macmillan Strategic Partnerships Manager for London, added:
“All healthcare professionals and staff across the capital have been working and continue to work tirelessly to offer the best possible care, support people and save lives.
“Macmillan continues to support both professionals and thousands of Londoners with cancer or with cancer symptoms who may have faced disruption to their treatment or appointments, worrying about the long-term implications for their health, their families and their future.”
