Waiting lists for skin cancer treatment in England have increased by a quarter since the pandemic, resulting in delays of up to a year before patients can begin treatment.
Data from 49 NHS trusts reveal that 38,392 patients were on waiting lists for skin cancer care in 2023-24, a 25.8 percent increase from 30,521 in 2019-20. Additionally, 3,571 patients faced waits longer than the 62-day standard last year, with 78 waiting more than six months and some nearly a year. The longest delay occurred at Norwich and Norfolk NHS Trust, where a patient waited 345 days after an urgent referral. Breaches of the 62-day target have nearly quadrupled, rising from 988 in 2019-20.
Concerns Over Unreported Data and Calls for Policy Change
The true figures may be higher, as some NHS trusts did not respond to Freedom of Information requests from the Liberal Democrats.
The party’s health spokesman, Daisy Cooper, has criticised the state of NHS cancer services as “shocking and tragic” and is calling for the removal of VAT on high-factor sunscreen to make it more affordable.
The Daily Mail reports that eliminating VAT, which stands at 20 percent, could save shoppers £67 million annually and potentially reduce the burden on the NHS, which is expected to face skin cancer treatment costs of £465 million by next year.
A survey conducted by charity Melanoma Focus revealed that half of the public believes sunscreen is too expensive, with one in ten individuals refraining from using it due to cost concerns. Cooper emphasised the need for improved measures and suggested that removing VAT on sunscreen could be a significant step towards addressing the rising incidence of skin cancer. Melanoma Focus, along with other charities and cross-party politicians, supports this call as part of their VAT Burn campaign.
In response, a Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson acknowledged the delays and pledged to improve cancer treatment timelines as part of their efforts to enhance NHS performance. High-factor sunscreen is already available VAT-free on NHS prescriptions for specific conditions when dispensed by a pharmacist.
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