Local MP John Hayes has backed an appeal from Cancer Research UK for more NHS staff to deliver life-saving cancer tests and treatments.
The South Holland and The Deepings MP met with campaigners recently to hear about the “Shoulder to Shoulder Against Cancer” campaign.
It calls for the UK Government to tackle what it says is a chronic shortage of staff who diagnose and treat the disease.
Every year, 930 people are diagnosed with cancer in South Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group’s area and as the population grows and ages, that number is only set to rise.
Cancer Research UK says more staff are urgently needed to keep up with the demand for life-saving tests and treatments, yet already one in 10 NHS diagnostic posts are unfilled.
Speaking after the meeting, John Hayes said: “After the past 70 years of fantastic work from the NHS, it is vital to ensure it is fit to face the challenges of the decades to come.
“Many of my constituents have been affected by cancer in some way, and one in two of us will be diagnosed in our lifetimes.
“We all want a world-class service where people are given every opportunity to survive this devastating disease, for it to be diagnosed early and for patients to receive the best treatment possible.
A spokesman for Cancer Research said: “The government is set to publish its long-term plan for the NHS later this year, which will also include a roadmap for the NHS workforce over the next decade. To speed up and improve cancer diagnosis and treatment, investment is needed in key professions, including radiographers and radiologists who carry out and interpret scans such as MRIs, endoscopists who look inside the body , oncologists (cancer specialists), nurses and surgeons.”
