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Webpage last updated on: 12th September 2024
A crucial report released today (Thursday 12th September) by Lord Ara Darzi, a renowned NHS surgeon and former health secretary, has unveiled significant issues within the NHS. The “Independent Investigation of the National Health Service in England,” commissioned after the July election, reveals systemic problems thanks to evidence in hundreds of submissions, including insights from Leukaemia Care.
The Darzi report exposes a tangled web of NHS challenges, indicating that a dramatic overhaul in funding and service delivery is essential to meet rising demand. While media coverage has spotlighted problems such as cancer care delays and long waiting times, the review emphasizes that there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
For Leukaemia Care, many of the findings underline both ongoing concerns, which we have been campaigning for, for many years along with our recent manifesto concerns. The report identifies several pressing issues:
1. Delayed cancer diagnosis: Cancer isn’t being diagnosed as early as it should be, and most changes focus on only a few cancer types.
2. Stagnant Primary Care investment: Investment in primary care is flatlining, while pressure on GP surgeries keeps mounting.
Our commitment to improving early diagnosis aligns with the report’s findings, with our Spot Leukaemia campaign continuing to advocate for more frequent blood tests and better awareness, critical for improving survival rates. Later this month, the charity will release further recommendations to enhance early diagnosis by GPs, as part of Blood Cancer Awareness Month. We hope that our recent work with Dr Amir Khan has helped spread this message far and wide.
3. Expanding mental health waiting lists: Mental health support waiting lists are growing, while the demand for these services also surges. This applies to people who need mental health support after a leukaemia diagnosis too. We hear how much a diagnosis has on people’s mental health and as a result we have seen applications to our counselling service rocket in 2024. The service has seen more than 160 applications so far, which is more than a third than the previous year.
4. Patient exclusion: Patients aren’t being involved enough in how services are designed.
5. Chronic condition care gaps: People with long-term or multiple conditions aren’t getting enough support, and also patients who aren’t in active treatment aren’t receiving the care they need.
Our Left to Watch, Wait, Worry campaign brings attention to patients, particularly those with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), who may not start treatment right away but still require emotional and clinical support. Many CLL patients do not receive the necessary level of care at diagnosis, a concern Leukaemia Care continues to raise.
6. Inconsistent Care: Since Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) were set up, it’s unclear who’s responsible for what. The Care quality depends on where you live, with inequalities in access to treatment.
The report also highlights the complexities of navigating the NHS, an issue Leukaemia Care is addressing through its Advocacy Officer role and dedicated support services. From securing clinical trials to managing patient care, their efforts have been crucial in providing clarity and support.
Despite these challenges, Leukaemia Care remains optimistic and is determined to leverage the upcoming 10-year plan to address these issues and continue to make sure they are there to support those being diagnosed.
Over the last few years Leukaemia Care have invested in supporting and working with the NHS to provide clinic and ward support to leukaemia patients. So far this year our Hospital support service has grown to provide 12 hospitals with additional support. Our nine navigators have supported 288 people so far making sure that they get the support they need at the time they need it most.
Despite the sobering revelations of the Darzi report, Leukaemia Care remains constant in its mission. With continued support from the public, they aim to build on their vital support services and support to those affected by leukaemia.
“You fear the worst when you’re diagnosed with cancer, but Leukaemia Care provides compassion, help, and support for those in need,” said a beneficiary.
More about the support we have provided so far this year can be found in our recent article: How Leukaemia Care is making a difference in 2024.