2024 clinical oncology workforce census report
Read our 2025 clinical oncology workforce census report
Our 2025 census report reveals growing shortfalls in clinical oncology and for the first time it reveals a geographic divide, with shortages worse in rural and deprived areas of the UK.
Our 2024 clinical oncology workforce census report shows that staff shortages in oncology are having serious impacts on cancer patients. Chronic workforce shortfalls are delaying patients’ treatments – with potentially serious consequences for their health.
Demand for oncology expertise is outpacing the capacity to deliver care. If this situation continues, backlogs and delays for patients will only get worse. Already, there are emerging critical gaps in oncological capacity in some regions of the UK. Moreover, expertise in some types of cancers, such as breast, gastrointestinal, and skin, is at serious risk
Our 2024 report reveals that:
Shortfall of clinical oncology consultants
Forecast shortfall
Average annual growth
est. increase in demand
This means that:
>90%
Cancer heads of service report delays to patients starting SACT or radiotherapy
7 in 10
Cancer heads of service are concerned about the effects of workforce shortages on patient safety
CO consultants are leaving the workforce earlier
At an average age of 54 years (versus 59yrs in 2020)
>90%
Cancer heads of service report delays to patients starting SACT or radiotherapy
7 in 10
Cancer heads of service are concerned about the effects of workforce shortages on patient safety
CO consultants are leaving the workforce earlier
At an average age of 54 years (versus 59yrs in 2020)
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