Government to end cancer postcode lottery for patients

People living in rural and coastal areas will find it easier to see a cancer specialist as the government works to end the postcode lottery for care.

People living in rural and coastal communities will find it easier to see a cancer specialist as part of plans to tackle the current postcode lottery.

The most deprived parts of the country often have fewer cancer consultants, leaving patients waiting longer for vital care. These same areas face the highest rates of economic inactivity, with long waits for diagnosis and treatment keeping people out of work and holding back local economies.

To fix this, the government will introduce new training places targeted at trusts with the biggest workforce gaps - prioritising rural and coastal areas where patients currently struggle most.

Working with the royal colleges, the government will encourage more doctors to specialise in clinical and medical oncology, boosting the number of cancer specialists in underserved areas.

The measures will be set out in the forthcoming National Cancer Plan, helping patients get diagnosed and treated faster as part of the government’s mission to make England a world leader for cancer survival and build an NHS fit for the future.

To further tackle inequalities, the plan will also set new national standards for cancer care and invest in the latest technology and AI to spot cancers earlier. 

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said:

For too long, your chances of seeing a doctor and catching cancer early have depended on where you live. That’s not fair and has to stop.