In a survey of 41 nations, the UK ranked 33rd in the race to give cancer patients the treatment they need. More than ever, healthcare professionals are raising the issue of limited staff and equipment that would allow signs of cancer to be caught earlier, and in turn, save more lives.
The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) released fresh statistics revealing that the average wait for treatment is 55 days in the UK - and only a handful of other nations are currently doing a less efficient job. Katharine Halliday, the president of the Royal College of Radiologists, responded to the worrying data:
“We just don’t do as much as other countries because we haven’t got the staff and we haven’t got the machines. The way we limit who can refer is nonsense. It’s just a way of managing demand.”
An NHS pilot announced in June could be the answer to the issue. The pilot sought to allow pharmacists to refer any patients that show signs of cancer symptoms, in order to improve diagnosis times and help patients receive vital treatment they need sooner. Pharmacists would be able to spot any red flags that might otherwise be missed, creating another pathway towards treatment without the need to see a GP - cutting the obstacles of long waiting times and hard-to-get appointments. The NHS pilot has yet to launch, but it’s clear that pharmacists are in a unique position to help, given their placement at the heart of communities and the ease with which people can access the advice of the pharmacy teams in their neighbourhood.
Ade Williams, MBE, who is a community pharmacist and an ambassador for Pancreatic Cancer Action, was interviewed by Express.co.uk on the problem of limited resources and the effect that has on cancer diagnosis and treatment: “The barrier is not who should do the referral; the real barrier is more the diagnostic capacity. Everybody knows what needs doing; the question is: is it being done? ”
“We need more people referred earlier, but at the same time we need to improve our diagnostic capacity. It’s a perfect example of, if we are to get that result, we need to align all parts of that pathway.”
“Community pharmacy is going to help with one part of that pathway – we can get people into the pathway earlier – but we will not be able to help with diagnosing people. Our role […] without that diagnostic capacity will make a difference, but not as much of a difference as it can.”
Like many other pharmacists, Mr Williams is already informally referring any patients he has concerns about, but he worries that this is not the best way to manage care:
“The precedent that creates is that, because it’s all informal, […] those patients’ records are not captured; it’s that thing of if things get worse, if things change, how do we then help those patients?”
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If you’re feeling under the weather, your first port of call should be your local pharmacist. With same-day consultations available in your community branch, pop in or give your local pharmacy team a call and get the help you need when you need it.