The SACT capacity crisis in the NHS
LEARN MOREThe Royal College of Radiologists has been working to address the most pressing problem oncology departments across the UK are facing – a critical lack of capacity to deliver systemic anti-cancer therapies (SACT) to patients.
- In recent years, demand for SACT has surged. The rate of treatment delivery is rising approximately 6-8% per annum.
- At the same time, advances in drug discovery have led to a rise in the number of treatments available on the NHS as well as the complexity of these treatments.
Overstretched oncology departments are struggling to keep pace.
- To meet the increased demand for SACT treatments, oncology departments are having to compromise patient safety and increase pressure on overworked staff.
- Some departments are having to make difficult decisions over whether to withdraw access to approved treatments or prioritise which patients can receive treatment within an optimal timescale.
The NHS in each nation must take urgent action to ensure that patients are not put at risk of delayed or ineffective care.
Our work in England
Briefing on the short-medium-term solutions for supporting the SACT capacity crisis (Published February 2024)
In February 2024, we met with the Health Minister, Andrew Stephenson MP, to discuss the ongoing capacity issues in systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) departments across the country. During the meeting, we discussed the short-medium-term solutions which would support cancer teams to deliver the best possible patient care. A summary of these solutions can be found in this briefing which was subsequently shared with the Minister. These are centred around national approaches to service provision and the cancer workforce.
Download the policy briefing (Published May 2023)
To raise awareness of this issue, the RCR, in collaboration with the Association of Cancer Physicians (ACP), British Oncology Pharmacy Association (BOPA), and UK Oncology Nursing Society (UKONS) have written to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care outlining the challenge and requesting to meet.
Download the letter to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
We urge the Government and NHS England to meet to discuss our recommendations for how we can work together to ensure that patients continue to receive access to life-saving cancer treatments.
Our work in Scotland
Download the policy briefing (Published November 2023)
Scotland’s severe NHS staff shortages are limiting our ability to deliver cancer treatments in a safe and effective manner.
A group of clinicians invested and experienced in Scottish SACT services, supported by the Royal College of Radiologists and Association of Cancer Physicians, have met to explore the scale of the challenge in the different subspecialties and regions. We have developed a policy briefing which provides a medical perspective on the issue and includes recommendations for how the Scottish Government and NHS Scotland can specifically support the SACT workforce.
Download the letter to the Chief Medical Officer for Scotland
A letter was also shared with the Chief Medical Officer, outlining the challenge and requesting a meeting to discuss these challenges.
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