Cancer patients 'deteriorating' due to staff shortages, radiologists warn

Cancer patients have warned delays in scans could be the difference between life and death as Wales faces a shortage of radiologists.

The Royal College of Radiologists said NHS Wales currently had 88 fewer radiologists than it needed - a 28% shortfall.

For the first time, it has reported seeing some patients' conditions "deteriorating" while waiting for diagnostic scans and tests.

Radiologists are doctors who specialise in using images to diagnose and manage medical conditions and diseases.

Betsi Cadwaladr health board, which covers one of the areas most affected by shortages, said recruitment was ongoing and, despite a substantial increase in demand for scans, reporting times had improved.

Beverly Scott, who was first diagnosed with ovarian and peritoneal cancer 14 years ago, said treatment was keeping her condition stable but without timely scans it was at risk of spreading unnoticed.

Scott, who is a member of Pwllheli and Pen Llŷn cancer support group in Gwynedd, was given five years to live when she was first diagnosed.

She took part in medical trials at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London and said that while there was no cure, continual treatment was now keeping her cancer stable.

Kaynak: BBC News Health RSS (Açık Basın / Haber Servisi)