Cancer scans drop by more than a quarter at Buckinghamshire Healthcare
Residents are being urged to come forward with concerns though
Buckinghamshire residents with worries about cancer symptoms are being urged to come forward.
The number of scans used to diagnose cancer dropped by more than a quarter as the coronavirus pandemic hit hospital services at Buckinghamshire Healthcare.
A pause on non-urgent treatment, a shortage of radiographers and a reduction in people coming forward for tests are said to have affected scans across England.
Teams at Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust performed more than 18,000 fewer imaging scans between March last year and February in comparison to the same period in 2019-20, NHS figures show.
Imaging tests that can be used to diagnose or detect cancer were carried out 51,285 times during that time - a 26% drop.
The number of brain MRI scans fell by 14% while there were 24% fewer chest x-rays performed and a drop of 43% in ultrasounds of the pelvis and abdomen.
Across England the number of scans used to diagnose or discount cancer dropped by a quarter to around 8.5m as lockdown measures gripped the health service.
Postponements of non-urgent healthcare throughout spring last year contributed to the steep decline in diagnostic imaging activity levels.
But a reduction in people coming forward for tests has also had an impact, according to an NHS spokesman, while the Royal College of Radiologists say the crisis was exacerbated by a shortage of radiographers that predates the pandemic.
Dr William Ramsden from the RCR said waiting lists for hospital treatments were at a record high, with many patients on those lists likely to require scans:
“The pause in non-elective NHS work during the coronavirus peak last spring had a huge knock-on impact on waits for scans and treatment.
“NHS England has helped increase radiology capacity, coming through with emergency funding for scanners and private provider support, which must continue."