Cancer care cuts over lack of staff an “open door to negligence”

Cancer care cuts over a lack of staff are an “open door to negligence”, Our Medical Negligence Lawyers warn.

Earlier this year, we saw the story of a leading NHS hospital reportedly delaying chemotherapy services for cancer patients, and cutting treatment for terminally-ill patients, as a result of chronic staff shortages.

Whilst we can all appreciate the funding struggles of the NHS right now, we cannot have cases of delayed or reduced treatment that stem from a lack of resources, and something must be done.

Churchill Hospital in Oxford were reportedly forced to delay treatment and reduce chemotherapy cycles because of a lack of available staff who are trained in how to deal with the medication. Although I’m sure we can all be thankful for the amazing NHS we have that remains largely free at the point-of-use, the funding issues that are forcing hospitals to take such drastic measures like reducing and cutting cancer treatment really is an open door to negligence.

There is no doubt in our minds that any reduction or cuts to vital chemotherapy care will risk patient complications and will risk increased deaths from the disease. Such tragic steps do not fill people with a great deal of confidence that they have a fighting chance to win their cancer battle either, and such demoralising issues can really hamper a person’s fight for survival.

The Medical Negligence Lawyers warn that these incidents cannot be swept under the carpet. The government must step in and ensure that NHS Trusts are adequately funded, or they risk incidents of medical negligence that may lead to patients suffering lifelong complications, as well leading to fatalities.

A long-term solution is needed to make sure that vital services like chemotherapy care cannot go underfunded, or lives will be put needlessly at risk.