NHS to train more cancer doctors to address postcode differences in care

The government will create more cancer doctor training places in hospitals with the greatest shortages and will publish a National Cancer Plan on February 4 that aims to speed diagnosis and broaden access to new tests.

The government plans to increase the number of training places for clinical and medical oncologists in hospitals with the largest workforce shortages, which are often outside major cities. Health secretary Wes Streeting, who was treated for kidney cancer in London, has said patients in under-served communities deserve the same chance of timely diagnosis and quality care. The National Cancer Plan, due to be published on February 4 (World Cancer Day), sets out goals to reduce how many people develop cancer, speed up diagnosis and improve treatment. Ministers will work with royal medical colleges to encourage more doctors into cancer specialties and aim to roll out diagnostic technologies more widely across the NHS. Key facts: - The plan commits to creating more oncology training places in hospitals with the greatest consultant shortages, often in rural and coastal areas. - The National Cancer Plan is due on February 4 and lists aims to cut incidence, accelerate diagnosis and enhance treatment options. - From April 2027, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) will assess certain new tests and devices; if NICE approves them for NHS use, trusts will be obliged to offer them. - First technologies named for assessment include AI that reads chest X-rays, lab software for prostate and breast tissue analysis, techniques for investigating unexplained vaginal bleeding, and the oesophageal 'sponge on a string' test. - Recent NHS England figures showed 76.5% of urgently referred patients were diagnosed or had cancer ruled out within 28 days in November, with a range across trusts from 54.5% to 100%; 78.0% of those ruled out received results within 28 days while 55.1% of confirmed cancer cases were confirmed within 28 days. Summary: The measures are presented as steps to reduce regional inequalities in access to cancer specialists and diagnostic tools, and to speed pathways from referral to diagnosis and treatment. The National Cancer Plan will be published on February 4 and NICE will begin assessing selected tests and devices under the new model from April 2027, with further implementation details to follow.