Major trust forced to restrict chemotherapy amid staff shortages

Nottingham University Hospitals Trust confirmed in a statement its chemotherapy service has been affected by long-term staff sickness and staff vacancies. 

A trust spokeswoman said: “We continue to provide chemotherapy to patients who benefit most from the treatment and the small number of patients affected have been contacted directly by their specialist cancer team and offered support.”

She added: “We are recruiting to posts as well as working with neighbouring NHS and private providers to ensure that any delays are minimal.”

The trust added all its patient care decisions adhered to national guidance aimed at helping chemotherapy centres categorise and prioritise treatments when these situations arise.

The Nottingham Post first reported the difficulties facing the trust, suggesting the restrictions would specifically affect palliative care patients who receive chemotherapy at NUH’s City Hospital site.

NUH also provides a chemotherapy service at Sherwood Forest Hospitals Trust. 

In a statement to the Nottingham Post, NUH medical director Keith Girling said: “Our clinical teams are prioritising care based on the likely clinical benefit. We are deeply sorry for the concern and upset this will cause.”

Dr Girling added: “We are supporting the staff and actively recruiting to posts and will ensure that any service limitations are for the shortest possible period.”

Last week, following a highly critical Care Quality Commission report, NUH was downgraded from “good” to “requires improvement” and will be given “intensive mandated support” from NHS England after serious concerns were raised about its culture and leadership.

This followed a warning notice from the CQC the previous month, which urged improvements around governance, culture and leadership, after a well-led inspection.

The CQC also threatened to issue a section 31 notice if the trust did not make improvements to urgent and emergency services, particularly around the time it takes for patients to receive an initial assessment.

The trust confirmed last month that its chief executive, Tracy Taylor, has been off sick, having had covid-19 since early July. Chief finance officer and deputy CEO Rupert Egginton is acting as CEO in her absence.