An extra 135,000 patients are waiting for cancer tests and scans since the rollout of the Government’s flagship diagnostic centres programme.
The Labour Party obtained NHS figures showing that there are 1.2 million patients on waiting lists for diagnostic scans and tests, up 135,000 on last July when the programme started.
Some 90 community diagnostic centres (CDCs) are offering MRI, CT and other services closer to patients’ homes in community locations from shopping centres to football stadiums.
The data suggests that the centres of not proving enough to deal with the backlog of patients coming forward with symptoms who delayed doing so because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Labour Leader Keir Starmer said: “For over a decade, waiting times for cancer care have been going up. The Prime Minister’s solution was supposed to be diagnostic hubs but since they opened last year, 135,000 extra people are now waiting for scans and tests.
“Members of the cabinet admit the Conservatives left our health system ‘wanting and inadequate’ when the pandemic hit.
“The Prime Minister has been in power for three years and things are getting worse not better.”
His comments come after a spat between Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries and ex-Tory Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt over the latter’s opposition to Boris Johnson remaining as PM.
Ms Dorries this week tweeted: “Your pandemic preparation during six years as health secretary was found wanting and inadequate.”
NHS England is committed to rolling out a network of up to 160 diagnostic centres across the country.
Labour has highlighted the watering down of key NHS waiting time standards under the Tories.
Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: “24 Hours in A+E used to be a TV Programme; now it’s this Government’s policy.
“I know from experience that when it comes to cancer, every second matters.
“The Conservatives say they are at war with cancer, but they spent the decade before the pandemic disarming our NHS.
“Labour will provide the staff, equipment, and modern technology needed to make our NHS fit for the future and get patients seen on time.”
