Cancer Plan reflects RCR priorities for improving cancer care

Today, Wednesday 4 February 2026, the Government published its National Cancer Plan for England. The Plan reflects priorities long highlighted by the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR), the body representing senior doctors responsible for cancer diagnosis and treatment, to: 

• Embrace supportive oncology 
• Reform multidisciplinary team meetings (MDTMs)
• Plan for the rollout of innovative radiotherapies and drug-based treatments

Dr Nicky Thorp, Vice-President for Clinical Oncology at the RCR, said:

“This National Cancer Plan is a huge milestone on the journey to transform cancer care in England. We are pleased to see the Plan commit to all the measures we have been calling for, including radical reform of inefficient multidisciplinary team meetings. We will lead this work to ensure that changes allow clinicians to deliver faster and more effective patient care. 

The government also backed our call to cut red tape on the latest, innovative cancer treatments, giving more eligible patients access to treatments that can mean less time in hospital and could improve quality of life. 

We welcome plans to expand supportive oncology services, which can improve cancer outcomes and reduce avoidable hospitalisation by supporting patients’ physical, social and mental wellbeing alongside their cancer treatment. 

Plans to target more clinical oncology training posts in areas with the worst staff shortages and encourage more graduates to specialise in oncology are important steps to tackle inequalities. However, we must train up more radiologists and cancer doctors across the board, or else plans to increase scanning capacity, expand screening and spot cancer earlier risk exacerbating backlogs and delays. 

The government has listened to the experts. Now, it must continue to work closely with frontline clinicians who are key to delivering its ambitions to improve cancer care across the country.”

The RCR will take time to study the detail of the Plan and share more in-depth analysis with members in due course. 

• Media contact: [email protected] 02038054065
• The Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) is the leading professional membership body for clinical radiologists and clinical oncologists
• Clinical radiologists are specialist doctors who use imaging to diagnose, monitor and treat diseases and injuries
• Clinical oncologists are specialist doctors who manage cancer and prescribe drug-based treatments and radiotherapy
• Find out about the RCR’s work to influence the National Cancer Plan. 
• As of 2024, England is short of 1,670 (30% shortfall) clinical radiologists and 158 (15%) clinical oncologists. Without action to increase the workforce, these shortages will rise to 3,112 (39%) too few clinical radiologists and 231 (17%) too few clinical oncologists in England by 2029. These figures are from the RCR 2024 Workforce Census, completed by 100% of radiology department and cancer centre leaders.