Bridget calls for better cancer care, and less cancer scare (Islington Liberal Democrats)

Islington Liberal Democrats <Islington_ld@cix.co.uk>

Bridget calls for better cancer care, and less cancer scare

February 25, 2005 4:11 PM

The National Audit Office, the public spending watchdog, says two-fifths of patients do not see a specialist within the target two weeks, and a fifth wait more than a month. And

Londoners are among those reporting the least improvement since the NHS Cancer Plan was introduced in 2002.

SOS for the NHS: Bridget Fox at Barts (photo: Alex Folkes)

Bridget Fox: doctors need less interference from Labour

Bridget says, "With Barts on our doorstep, Islington residents expect the best, so it's truly worrying that London patients are not seeing the service improvements we deserve. A possible cancer diagnosis can be terrifying and delays can be fatal - seeing a specialist quickly is essential."

A key finding of the NAO report, Tackling Cancer is that

"The worse experience of care reported by patients in London should be investigated further. The National

Cancer Director should ensure that the Strategic Health Authorities and Cancer Networks in London are aware of this and that appropriate remedial action is taken."

The report concludes, "…there is no room for complacency - even if only 10 per cent of patients with major cancers were dissatisfied with some aspect of their care, that amounts to over 10,000 people a year. We look to the NHS to continue its drive for improvement in patient care, particularly with respect to patients in London…"

Bridget says, "This confirms Liberal Democrat concerns that the Labour government's target culture is leaving vital areas of patient care neglected. Far too many patients are stuck on hidden waiting lists for diagnosis and treatment - which for cancer patients could be fatal. Dedicated cancer doctors & nurses like those at Barts do wonderful work - they need less Whitehall interference and more freedom to get on with the job."