A call to end the cancer care postcode lottery
The Royal College of Physicians (RCP), the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR), the UK Association of Supportive Care in Cancer and the Association for Palliative Medicine have all called for urgent investment in supportive oncology.
Supportive oncology manages the physical and psychological impact of cancer on patients and can include advice on nutrition and mental health support.
The colleges have called for the NHS and governments across the UK to embed supportive services in the national cancer plan, while expanding clinical fellowships in supportive oncology and backing cancer centres to develop programmes with dedicated funding.
It comes as the Government’s 10-year health plan pledges to move more care from hospitals into the community by 2035.
As a local centre providing support we wholeheartedly agree with this call for urgent action. The Nightingale Cancer Support Centre is the only dedicated cancer support centre covering the Borough of Enfield.
Roughly 330,000 people live in our catchment area, coupled with the statistic that 1 in 2 people will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lifetime, you can see why there is a vital need for more supportive oncology in hospitals, GP surgeries and in communities.
Dr Tom Roques, vice president for clinical oncology at the RCR said, “More people are living with cancer for longer, with complexities that affect their physical, emotional and social wellbeing…
As the NHS moves towards more neighbourhood-based care, investing in supportive oncology services will help patients get holistic care closer to home, and relieve pressure on hospitals.”
Dr Hilary Williams, incoming RCP clinical vice president and a consultant medical oncologist, echoed these sentiments: “Supportive and acute oncology must be seen as essential components of modern cancer care – not optional extras.
The colleges outline clear actions which include that all cancer centres should be supported to develop high-quality oncology services, backed by dedicated funding.
Since The Nightingale was founded in 2002 we have received no government funding to support us developing or delivering our range or services.
This would be a welcome change to have the government and NHS fully behind cancer support centres across the UK, aiding them in delivering more services and most importantly reaching more people affected by cancer who do not have support systems in place.