Scientific research being impacted by pressure on NHS cancer services

Cancer Research UK has warned that increasing pressure on cancer services within the NHS are impacting on the capacity to provide world leading scientific research and life-saving medical breakthroughs.

Although there are internationally recognised cancer scientists and specialist centres within the NHS, such as London’s Royal Marsden and Imperial, and Manchester’s Christies hospitals, a survey by the charity has revealed widespread concern that less and less time is being found to focus on research, due to medical staffs’ responsibilities to NHS patients.

More cancer patients are being treated by the NHS than ever before. In 2011, over 331,000 patients were diagnosed, and this figure has increased in the four years since. More patients are also surviving cancer, with 50% of those diagnosed today surviving for 10 years or more, which compares to one in four 40 years ago. A result of this is that more people are now requiring cancer treatment within the NHS.

In completing the survey, cancer specialists said that research work was being squeezed out more and more by patient demand.

One specialist said that their research often “spills out onto the evenings and weekends. I would say that 20 per cent of my time is spent doing clinical activities, 20 per cent of my time is spent doing NHS administration … and 60 per cent of my time is spent doing research of which much is undertaken in my own time.”

Cancer Research’s chief clinician, Professor Peter Johnson, said that the NHS’s “unique capacity for research” was not being “fully exploited”.

He went on to say “We’ve made great progress in treating cancer, with survival rates doubling in the last 40 years, so it’s vital our NHS doctors and nurses have enough time to continue the outstanding research that had made this possible.”
The NHS’s national medical director Professor Sir Bruce Keogh said “As this report clearly highlights, we have more people taking part in clinical trials for cancer than any other comparable country, which has undoubtedly contributed to improving survival. We are absolutely committed to helping create the right environment for research to flourish for the NHS, ensuring evidence is translated into patient care.

“We are working closely with the Department of Health to develop a plan for doing this and we are also investing £100m in Academic Health Science Networks to further improve patient outcomes across the board by bringing scientific research from bench to bedside.”

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Posted by Tony May, Partner/head of Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), Medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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