MPs examine impact of outdated equipment on cancer treatment

The third session of the inquiry into cancer services will examine NHS cancer treatments, including Action Radiotherapy’s finding that 50% of radiotherapy centres have out of date machines, and claims that it would cost an extra £87 million a year to replace them on a rolling basis. The Committee is also expected to consider to what extent workforce shortages and burnout are affecting cancer care.

MPs will hear from academics, clinicians, and organization leaders to understand why the UK lags behind comparable countries on cancer treatment outcomes. The Committee is also expected to focus on why novel cancer treatments are less common in the UK than in comparable countries, and how changes to funding and the NICE approval process might remedy this.