A&E delays and the wider strain on the NHS have far-reaching consequences, particularly for those awaiting critical cancer treatment. Current figures reveal a devastating reality, with delays in A&E alone estimated to cause up to 50 excess deaths per day. This systemic strain, compounded by winter illnesses and a lack of capacity, also exacerbates delays in cancer care, leaving many patients in dire situations.
A National Crisis in Healthcare
The NHS has been described as “bursting at the seams,” with winter illnesses like flu, Covid-19, and respiratory viruses causing a “quad-demic” that further overwhelms already stretched resources. According to analysis from the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, delays of over 8–12 hours in A&E are linked to increased mortality rates. In 2023 alone, these delays were estimated to have caused 16,000 excess deaths, rising from 14,000 the previous year, the NHS is at full capacity with 91 hour waiting times.
But this isn’t just an issue for emergency care. Patients awaiting cancer treatment—many of whom already face critical time constraints—are also affected, with life-saving interventions delayed due to limited NHS capacity.
The Impact of Delayed Cancer Treatment
Delays in cancer treatment can significantly reduce survival rates, particularly when patients are diagnosed or treated at later stages. For some cancers, such as breast, lung, or bowel cancer, every month of delay can increase the risk of death by up to 10%.
If you or a loved one has experienced delays in diagnosis or treatment, you may have grounds to pursue a claim. Learn more about your legal rights on delayed cancer treatment, expert legal advice on the following pages:
• Delayed Cancer Diagnosis Compensation
•Claiming Medical Negligence for Delayed Cancer Diagnosis
•Missed Cancer Diagnosis Claims UK
•Average Payout for Cancer Misdiagnosis by the NHS
Contact Us Now To Claim
Causes of Delayed Care
1. A Lack of Beds and Staff
Hospitals are facing unprecedented demand, with critical incidents declared at multiple sites due to overcapacity. Patients often wait for hours in A&E corridors or in the backs of ambulances, impacting those needing time-sensitive cancer treatments.
2. Social Care Failures
Elderly care backlogs mean hospitals are often filled with frail patients who have nowhere to go, blocking beds for others. This bottleneck directly delays cancer treatments requiring inpatient care.
3. Seasonal Pressure
The NHS faces yearly challenges during winter, but the ongoing “quad-demic” has made the situation particularly dire, creating ripple effects for all non-urgent care.
The Cost of Delayed Action
Dr Adrian Boyle, President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, called for urgent political focus:
“These delays are preventable, and every death represents a person—someone’s loved one—whose loss could have been avoided.”
Boyle stressed that the NHS’s emergency and treatment delays are not just numbers but represent real human lives lost or impacted, particularly for vulnerable groups such as cancer patients.
Legal Support for Cancer Patients
If you or someone you know has suffered due to delays in cancer treatment, you may be entitled to seek compensation. Whether caused by A&E backlogs or administrative errors, such delays can lead to worsened prognoses or missed treatment opportunities.
Our team specialises in cancer negligence claims, offering support for cases involving:
•Delays in surgery or chemotherapy.
•Missed opportunities for early diagnosis.
•Errors in interpreting diagnostic tests.
Moving Forward
The NHS’s ongoing strain requires systemic changes to ensure timely care for all patients, including those with cancer. In the meantime, those affected by delays deserve support and justice.
Delays in cancer treatment are not just administrative failures—they are life-altering events. If you have been affected, contact us today for expert advice and compassionate support.
