The critical question of how to restore cancer services after the covid pandemic was addressed in an HSJ webinar. The pandemic has severely affected cancer services in much of the NHS: HSJ reported last month that cancer operations in the first half of January were down by 800 on normal levels.
During the first wave, fewer people than would be expected came forward with cancer symptoms making it likely that cancers would be detected at a later stage. There was also a backlog of patients for screening, which was suspended for a time. The impact of subsequent waves is less clear but the NHS is likely to be playing “catch up” for some time to come.
But there have been success stories with some areas managing to keep services going against the odds.
An HSJ webinar supported by Pfizer heard from Lynda Thomas, the chief executive of Macmillan Cancer Support, Ian Vousden, programme director for the Kent and Medway Cancer Alliance, and Richard Mitchell, who chairs the East Midlands Cancer Alliance.
This free webinar took place on 3 February 2021. To register to watch the on demand version click here
This meeting has been sponsored by Pfizer. The content of this meeting has been solely created, organised, produced and distributed by HSJ.
