NHS crisis: How the cancer waiting list ruined my life | Times Reports

A cancer patient waited 100 days before receiving treatment for stage 4 bowel cancer. The Times reports from an NHS cancer ward as waiting lists continue to grow.

The Conservatives have insisted that they are succeeding in bringing NHS waiting times down, as Rishi Sunak was accused by Labour of failing on a key pledge to get people treated faster.

The prime minister admitted on Thursday that he had failed on his promise in January last year. He had said “NHS waiting lists will fall and people will get the care they need more quickly”, but an extra 300,000 patients are now waiting for hospital care.

#nhs #uk #cancer #heath #cancerawareness #election2024 #generalelection2024

[DementedSheepCrap]

This poor man lost his partner to ovarian cancer, his mother to bowl cancer 4 years ago, and now he's got the same thing as his mum had. Can this guy get a break? For goodness sake!

[FreedomBaba]

My brother died of cancer in 2019. After he died, the NHS admitted gross negligence.
Every step of the way was a shambles. From not being able to get a GP appointment. Misdiagnosed by a useless GP. Terribly slow treatment from the NHS
Rest in peace, Eddie ❤❤

[jukerdanz]

Rishi Sunak blaming the situation on industrial action is an absolute disgrace. Shame on him.

[OfficialWelshWoman]

I've just done 3 years cancer treatment in Wales. The NHS Velindre cancer hospital saved my life. I feel this guy, I'm a musician too. I been told to live my life, that's what I'm gonna do. Love to all NHS patients and staff. ❤

[wendyt]

We have become a third world country in crisis. The 'haves' go private, the 'have nots' have to wait months for treatment on NHS.The divide is what has broken our country. Change the government. Sending you positive thoughts young man. Your Mum would be proud of you. X

[chrisj]

I am a dual citizen of New Zealand and UK; hearing stories like this put me right off going back to the UK where I was born. My cancer care in New Zealand has been great; quick diagnosis and onto treatment right away.

[juliemullen]

What a beautiful brave young man I wish him well ❤

[teevans]

My partner died of cancer in 2021 during the pandemic. He was waiting many months between appointments in that last year. It was a horrible end to a horrendous 5 years in which he'd been misdiagnosed for four years and undergone a number of harrowing surgeries that proved to be useless. It was eventually a complciation following surgery that killed him. He died alone because no visitors were allowed.

[Helenananana]

I’m so sorry you’re going through this. Praying for your recovery thank you for shedding a light.

[northernsegageorge]

It's even worse in N.Ireland. I've been waiting near 3 years now for an "urgent" referral to cardiology. 4 years for another issue.

[Vanessa_]

I work for the NHS and it is this bad, this is why I stay late most days for no extra pay and I’m only administrative but paperwork matters, patients having their appointments as early as possible matters, it all matters. This is so heartbreaking 💔 I really do hope he’ll be ok 🙏🏾 the cancer patients are some of the nicest people that I’ve meant and the most patient which is so ironic. Last week I was a little short with patients and my patience just wasn’t there, I just felt so overwhelmed, not appreciated by management and mentally/physically exhausted but this reminds me to remember that this is my job and what I do counts but also to give people more grace even when their shouting and swearing (patients that is) I just have to keep it together we all do, it’s what where paid to do but it’s also peoples human lives that where dealing with. It’s a very hard industry to work in but it can be so rewarding when you make a positive difference

[Rick]

It took the NHS a total of 11 months to tell me if I had cancer or not. The entire process from doing the online triage to seeing the GP and then getting the tests that I needed and then getting the results took 11 months. What a joke. They even forgot about me and I had to do the online triage again and basically start all over.

[TheSlinkyinky]

Everybody is ready to praise and 'admire' the bravery of KIng Chas and Princess Catherine on speaking about their 'cancer diagnosis' - What have they actually ' done ' or campaigned for to ensure others of their subjects /country citizens are given the speed required for cancer tests and treatement? HRH had immediate action and treatment. Nobody else gets this speed, care or aftercare, nor time off work on full pay .. What does HRH/Spokesman of palace do now more aware than many of the importance of Immediate speed for suspected cancer diagnosis? - so far, I see nothing. They could quite easily give up some items for auction or hand over one of the 'owned' palaces for only public visits ( wont have it as one of his many 'inresidence' bolt holes around the country) or could donate some of the duchy wealth to establish new MRI centres for screening ? Or, or, or, or? So many things - the HRH.... just.... do.

[michaelajoseph]

It’s the same system here in Sweden. People pay high taxes all their lives for health care and when they need it it’s not there. No referrals, no treatments specially for older people, no ambulances in emergencies. Thank you for sharing your story. I hope you get better!

[iSheree]

It is the same here in Australia. We have a similar system and share the same King. I waited 32 days for diagnosis after having an ultrasound that showed high suspicion for cancer (mind you, I waited for this scan too after finding suspicious lumps), 47 days for surgery after official cancer diagnosis, and 83 days for radiation treatment. I recently had a scan 239 days after radiation to see if radiation worked. I am still fighting cancer a year later, I think all that waiting didn't help.

[susanehlava]

I can’t imagine having to wait so long for diagnosis and treatment starting. Just unacceptable, must have been horrendous. I hope you are going well. Your mum would be so proud of you ❤

[kimbo]

Did Catherine and Charles wait definitely not sickening disgusting.

[mariarobson]

It's what the tories have wanted all along. God help us all.

[jamiew.]

The NHS is a mess, it won't be able to sustain its self in its current state for another 10 years imo

[aprilfox]

It’s not about investing in the NHS. It’s about fixing the NHS and flourishing out all the corrupt management over-spending with suppliers and benefitting. NHS is another Post Office, it’s broken.