Ombudsman warns over-stretched doctors could put cancer patients at risk
England’s NHS Ombudsman has warned that cancer patients could be put at risk because of over-stretched and exhausted health staff working in a system at breaking point and delays in diagnosis and treatment.
The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) revealed that between April 2020 and December 2023, his Office carried out 1,019 investigations related to cancer. Of those 185 were upheld or partly upheld.
Issues with diagnosis and treatment were the most common cancer-related issues investigated by PHSO. These issues included treatment delays, misdiagnosis, failure to identify cancer, the mismanagement of conditions, and pain management.
Complaints about cancer care also included concerns about poor communication, complaint handling, referrals, and end-of-life care.
Most investigations were about lung cancer, followed by breast cancer and colorectal cancer.
The Ombudsman recently closed an investigation around the death of Sandra Eastwood whose cancer was not diagnosed for almost a year after scans were not read correctly. The delay meant she missed out on the chance of treatment which has a 95% survival rate.
In 2021, PHSO published a report about recurrent failings in the way X-rays and scans are reported on and followed up across the NHS service.
Mr Behrens said, “What happened to Mrs Eastwood was unacceptable and her family’s grief will no doubt have been compounded by knowing that mistakes were made in her care.
“Her case also shows, in the most tragic of ways, that while some progress has been made on my recommendations to improve imaging services, it is not enough and more must be done.
“Government must act now to prioritise this issue and protect more patients from harm.”
Source: Parliamentary Health and Health Service Ombudsman, 9 March 2024