A concerning report from the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) reveals that in 2025, half of the UK’s 60 specialist cancer treatment centres faced hiring bans for clinical oncologists. This is a striking increase from the previous year’s figures and poses a significant threat to the quality of cancer care in the nation.
Recruitment Bans on the Rise
The NHS’s cost-cutting measures have led to a freeze on recruitment in cancer care units, despite the escalating demand for services. Last year, 50% of cancer treatment centres reported restrictions on hiring oncologists, a steep rise from just 23% in 2024. Furthermore, over a third of the 160 radiology departments in the UK experienced similar recruitment freezes, up from 19% the previous year. This trend has raised alarm bells among healthcare professionals, who warn that such actions could lead to detrimental delays in cancer diagnoses and treatments.
Dr Stephen Harden, president of the RCR, has labelled these recruitment bans as “shortsighted.” He emphasised that not only do these restrictions negatively impact patient care, but they can also diminish the morale of NHS staff and ultimately lead to greater financial burdens in the long run. “Denying cancer centres and radiology departments the ability to hire when needed can have tragic consequences for patients,” he stated.
A Growing Demand for Specialists
The escalating demand for cancer services is becoming increasingly pressing. Estimates from Cancer Research UK indicate that the NHS in England will need to recruit an additional 16,000 staff members by 2029 to keep pace with this growing need. This includes 8,300 diagnostic radiographers, 4,600 radiologists, and 790 oncologists. However, with recruitment freezes in place, these targets appear increasingly unattainable.
Rural and deprived areas are disproportionately affected, with 60% of cancer centres in these regions facing hiring restrictions compared to 48% in urban areas. This disparity highlights the urgent need for strategic recruitment initiatives to ensure that all communities have access to timely and effective cancer treatment.
The Government’s Plan and Its Challenges
The recent unveiling of the government’s National Cancer Plan for England aims to tackle these challenges by increasing the number of cancer specialists in underserved areas. The plan promises to enhance workforce numbers and utilise technology to improve efficiency in cancer care. However, experts argue that ongoing recruitment freezes contradict these commitments.
Dr Harden expressed cautious optimism regarding the government’s intentions but warned that without addressing the hiring bans, the ambitious goals for early diagnosis and treatment of cancer could remain unfulfilled. “We must ensure that radiology departments and cancer centres are fully staffed, as they are critical in the fight against cancer,” he urged.
The Financial Implications
The RCR’s findings indicate that these hiring freezes have also led to a record expenditure of £325 million in 2024 on locum staff and private firms to fill the gaps in radiology services. This not only strains NHS finances but also raises questions about the sustainability of relying on temporary staffing solutions instead of investing in permanent positions.
Holly Norman, head of health systems engagement at Cancer Research UK, echoed the RCR’s concerns, stating that “radiologists and oncologists are vital for ensuring timely diagnosis and treatment of cancer.” She emphasised the necessity for the NHS to be adequately resourced in order to meet the rising demands of cancer care.
Why it Matters
The implications of these recruitment freezes extend far beyond staffing shortages; they threaten the very essence of timely and effective cancer treatment. As the number of cancer diagnoses continues to rise, the NHS must urgently address these hiring restrictions to ensure that patients receive the care they need when they need it. Without decisive action, the future of cancer care in the UK may face significant hurdles, with potentially dire consequences for patient outcomes.
