NHS Cancer Care: Hiring Freezes Threaten Delays & Patient Safety

Hospitals in the United Kingdom are facing increasing pressure on resources, leading to a concerning trend: recruitment freezes within cancer diagnosis and treatment centers. These cost-cutting measures, implemented as part of a broader effort to address NHS financial challenges, are raising alarms among medical professionals who fear potential delays in cancer care and poorer patient outcomes.

Data recently released by the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) reveals a significant increase in these hiring freezes. In 2025, exactly half of the UK’s 60 specialist cancer treatment centers had restrictions on hiring clinical oncologists – more than double the number (23%) seen in 2024. Similarly, over a third (36%) of the 160 radiology departments – crucial for performing and analyzing scans – were subjected to hiring bans on clinical radiologists last year, a rise from 19% in 2024.

The RCR warns that this dramatic increase in staffing freezes could lead to “dangerous” delays in both the detection and treatment of cancers. Dr. Stephen Harden, President of the RCR, described the bans as “shortsighted,” emphasizing their negative impact on patients, NHS personnel morale and potentially, long-term costs. He stated that denying cancer centers and radiology departments the ability to hire needed doctors could directly affect patient treatment and have “tragic consequences.”

Dr. Harden explained that these recruitment freezes exacerbate an already existing shortage of doctors, contributing to longer wait times, delayed diagnoses, and limited treatment options for patients. He highlighted the critical impact of even short delays, noting that each month’s delay in starting cancer treatment can increase the risk of death by approximately 10%.

The root of these hiring freezes appears to lie in a financial “reset” initiated by Sir Jim Mackey, the chief executive of NHS England, in the spring of 2025. This reset was a response to a projected £6.6 billion overspend for 2025-2026, forcing NHS trusts to implement substantial savings measures. The majority of these freezes were imposed on units located in England.

This situation unfolds against the backdrop of the government’s recently launched plan to improve cancer care in England. This plan includes proposals to increase the number of cancer doctors, particularly in rural and coastal areas that often struggle with recruitment. However, the RCR argues that these efforts are undermined by the simultaneous imposition of hiring freezes.

The RCR’s data also reveals a disparity in the impact of these freezes. Smaller cancer centers and radiology departments, particularly those serving rural communities, were significantly more likely to be affected than larger facilities. Across the UK, 60% of cancer centers in rural or deprived areas experienced a recruitment freeze, compared to 48% in urban and more affluent areas.

The need for increased staffing in cancer services has been a growing concern for some time. In 2023, Cancer Research UK (CRUK) estimated that the NHS in England would need to hire 16,000 additional staff by 2029 to keep pace with rising demand. This includes 8,300 diagnostic radiographers, 4,600 radiologists, and 790 medical and clinical oncologists.

The new national cancer plan for England acknowledges the need for workforce growth, promising “higher numbers of staff in professional groups integral to cancer care.” The plan also emphasizes the potential of technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), to enhance the productivity of cancer professionals and reduce administrative burdens, ultimately freeing up more time for patient care. The vision is for AI to serve as a supportive tool, assisting with treatment planning and streamlining administrative tasks.

However, Dr. Harden cautions that unless these staffing issues are addressed, the persistent understaffing of cancer units will hinder efforts to improve early diagnosis and treatment, a key goal of Wes Streeting’s vision for cancer care. He reiterated the need to end these hiring bans, stating, “It’s encouraging to see the government set out ambitious plans… But hiring bans… sit in clear tension with commitments to diagnose cancer earlier and treat it faster, and they need to end.” He emphasized that with cancer diagnoses expected to rise, the NHS will require these highly skilled clinicians more than ever.

The RCR’s findings also highlight the financial consequences of these freezes. In 2024, the NHS across the UK spent a record £325 million on locum doctors to fill rota gaps and on private firms, including some based abroad, to analyze scans when NHS radiology departments lacked the capacity. This suggests that the short-term savings achieved through recruitment freezes may be offset by increased costs elsewhere.

Holly Norman, head of health systems engagement at CRUK, echoed the RCR’s call for fully staffed cancer services. She emphasized the vital role of radiologists and oncologists in ensuring timely diagnosis and treatment for cancer patients. She stated that the forthcoming 10-year workforce plan must outline concrete steps to train and recruit enough specialist staff to meet the growing demand. Norman also underscored that the government’s ambitious goals for improving early diagnosis and reducing waiting times will only be achievable with adequate staffing and resources.

NHS England responded to the findings by stating that both the radiology and oncology workforces grew by around 5% in 2024. They also highlighted their commitment to transforming cancer care through the new national cancer plan, including the introduction of new specialist training places in underserved areas and the development of new care models. A spokesperson acknowledged the need for local systems in financial deficit to operate within their means while continuing to improve productivity and deliver value for taxpayers.