NHS is facing new crisis of cancer patients doctor shortages, more lawsuits as waiting lists grow, decline in mental workforce, and failure to meet the ever increasing demand on its services.
The NHS has lost the equivalent of 1,000 full-time GPs in the past year as "unbearable" workload pressures and funding shortfalls drive out doctors. One in six cancer centres now operates with fewer clinical oncology consultants than five years ago, and the UK is short of at least 184.
The report from the Royal College of Radiologists predicted that by 2023 the work force will be at least 22 per cent short of consultants, and warned some cancer therapies may not be delivered to all. One in six cancer centres now operates with fewer clinical oncology consultants than five years ago, and the UK is short of at least 184.
Long waiting lists for treatment could see the number of angry patients suing the NHS rise significantly, new research suggests. For many people, longer waits result in inconvenience and the discomfort associated with living with a medical condition. But for others their condition may deteriorate and a longer wait for treatment may cause them harm,” the report read.
The figures – which contradict a pledge from the Health Secretary to recruit an extra 5,000 GPs by 2020 – have been described as "gravely concerning" by doctors' leaders, who warn that the shortage will lead to increased waiting times at surgeries already struggling to cope with over-subscribed patient lists. They also come as the Chancellor faces mounting pressure to hand over more cash to the health service in Wednesday's Budget, with NHS boss Simon Stevens making an unprecedented plea for extra money earlier this month.
While there are around 41,324 doctors working in general practice, 500 fewer than two years ago, the pressures of the job mean they are increasingly working less than the NHS definition of “full-time”, opting instead for freelance work.
The results show that the NHS does face significant problems in many different areas. It is succeeding in treating more patients than in the past, but this rise in need for care, and rising costs coupled with tight budgets, are translating into widespread pressures on the ability of staff and managers to keep up with past performance and the standards the service sets itself.
It is incumbent on the government to fully fund the NHS and to take urgent and appropriate step to fill in the vacancies of doctors, oncology consultants and nurses as their top priority.
Baldev Sharma
Rayners Lane, Harrow
