拢200m cancer scanner boost fuels call for extra NHS staff
The 300 diagnostic machines for hospitals across England will only work if there are specialists to operate them, a charity warns.
Friday 27 September 2019 16:42, UK
A 拢200 funding package has been unveiled by the government to pay for new cancer scanners in a drive to tackle the "cruel disease".
The funding, announced by Boris Johnson during a visit to a hospital, will provide 300 diagnostic machines across England as part of a cancer screening overhaul.
The latest NHS spending pledge comes as Mr Johnson continues in his bid to secure an early general election aimed at breaking the Brexit deadlock.
But Cancer Research UK warned NHS staffing shortages were the pressing priority, while Labour said the cash would not make up for years of budget cuts.
The prime minister said: "These new scanners will lead to quicker diagnosis, more screenings, and improved care for patients, giving brilliant NHS staff the tools they need to further boost survival rates.
"It's my priority to make sure our NHS gets every penny it needs to provide the very best care - wherever you live, and whatever your condition."
The Department of Health said the machines, to go to more than 80 trusts, will improve efficiency and improve patient safety because of reduced radiation levels.
Improved reliability is also expected, meaning fewer cancellations and better use of staff time.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "I want to see the way we fight cancer in the NHS transformed, so we can confront this cruel disease with the best facilities to give our family, friends and colleagues the greatest chance.
"I'm determined to get cutting-edge equipment into hospitals across the country so that clinical staff are equipped with the best technology available for patients."
Cancer Research UK welcomed the cash as a much-needed boost for the NHS's "creaking equipment", but called for "bolder action" and extra staff.
Sarah Woolnough, an executive director at the charity, said: "Having access to the best machines available will help diagnose more people with cancer at an early stage when they have the best chance of surviving their disease.
"But to diagnose more people early is a momentous challenge and will require bolder action if the UK wants to achieve world-class cancer outcomes.
"And these new machines will only work if there is staff to operate them, so the government must act urgently to address NHS staff shortages."
Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said: "The announcement will in no way make up for the years of multibillion-pound cuts to NHS equipment budgets.
"With 34,000 patients waiting two months just to start treatment for cancer, a credible funding plan to tackle chronic shortages in the cancer workforce is more urgent than ever.
"Sadly, ministers have failed to offer a workforce plan yet again."