NHS complaints chief warns cancer patients at risk from stretched NHS

England’s NHS ombudsman has warned that cancer patients could be at risk due to overstretched and “exhausted” health staff in a “system at breaking point”.

The office of Rob Behrens, the parliamentary and health service ombudsman who investigates unresolved complaints against NHS England, carried out 1,019 investigations related to cancer between April 2020 and December 2023, with 185 upheld or partly upheld.  Issues included delays in diagnosis, treatment and pain management.

Mr Behrens said everyone deserves safe and effective care, adding “But patient safety will always be at risk in environments that are understaffed and where staff are exhausted and under sustainable pressure.”

He called for sustained and concerted government action to ensure NHS leaders could prioritise the safety of patients, adding “A key part of this is investing in the workforce, for today and for the long term, including providing full funding for the long-term workforce plan.”

The Department of Health said “The NHS has seen and treated record numbers of cancer patients over the last two years and cancer is being diagnosed at an earlier stage, more often, with survival rates improving across all types.

“We have invested £2.3bn into speeding up diagnosis and launched 154 community diagnostic centres across England.

“The NHS long-term workforce plan will boost the number of healthcare workers diagnosing and treating cancer, doubling the number of medical school and adult nurse training places.”

Chadwick Lawrence’s Legal 500 recommended West Yorkshire medical negligence solicitors, have over 20 years of experience and specialist expertise in medical negligence investigations and claims, supporting injured clients and their families through the legal process and helping them obtain answers, justice and compensation after life-changing events including cases involving delays in diagnosis and treatment of cancer.  We have offices in Huddersfield, Wakefield, Halifax, Leeds, Bradford and Morley and represent clients locally and nationally.

If you or a relative have been injured as a result of clinical/medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our medical negligence lawyers on the freephone number below or e-mail us.

Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (jacquelinevance@chadlaw.co.uk), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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