Radiotherapy services reporting long delays for patients needing treatment, says new report

02/05/2024

RADIOTHERAPY services are increasingly reporting long delays for patients needing treatment, according to a new report.

The Radiotherapy Board have developed a policy briefing, exploring the main drivers of lengthening waiting times and the action needed to support services.

IPEM is a member of the Radiotherapy Board, along with the Royal College of Radiologists and the Society and College of Radiographers.

‘Recovering radiotherapy services in England’ sets out a plan for action to address the long delays patients face for treatment.

The briefing explores the main drivers of lengthening waiting times and what action needs to be taken at a national and local level to support services. It sets out 11 recommendations for how government and NHS England can restore radiotherapy services and ensure patients receive treatment in a safe and timely manner.

At the same time, the Board has published the ESTRO-HERO report, which estimates the cost of radiotherapy to the NHS for the first time.

The model estimates the total cost of the 127,275 radiotherapy courses delivered in 2017 was £467 million, and points out that radiotherapy accounts for approximately seven per cent of the total cancer spend.

Dr Anna Barnes, IPEM’s President, said: ‘These two reports once again highlight the delays patients face for cancer treatment. I hope the recommendations in the report are acted upon to restore radiotherapy services and ensure patients receive the treatment they need.’