Three NHS England officials – the medical director for secondary care, national cancer director, and chief operating officer – wrote to integrated care boards and trusts on 26 April 2023 saying that:
‘…Improving waiting times for patients referred for urgent suspected cancer will be a critical priority for the NHS over the coming year. For these reasons it is essential that in the year ahead our national investments in diagnostic capacity are more clearly prioritised for patients being investigated for urgent suspected cancer…
Professor Mike Osborn, President, The Royal College of Pathologists said:
’ The Royal College of Pathologists welcomes this support for pathology services which will help us provide the quicker diagnoses that patients need. We have long asked for improvements in digital pathology and infrastructure to help us provide better patient care. We support this initiative and the fresh focus on pathology which should we hope, make a real difference to patients.
A link to the letter is available below, as you may well find it useful to raise it in any discussions with your trust and management relating to funding, resources and other support for pathology services.'
Coverage of the new priority for suspected cancer cases was also covered in an article in the Daily Mail.
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