Patients facing agonising waits as NHS struggles to provide treatment quickly, BBC analysis shows.
There has been a sharp rise in long waits for cancer therapy in the past four years, BBC analysis shows.
"Excruciating waits not only impact survival, but also exacerbate feelings of anxiety and uncertainty."Charlotte Park is one of the cancer patients who has faced a long wait for treatment. She went to see her GP in June last year after finding a lump in her breast. She was then diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer, but had to wait until September to start chemotherapy.But she said: "It was so frustrating. I just felt like I was hitting my head against a brick wall. I felt under a massive amount of stress."
Recent data shows the numbers being referred in for cancer checks is now increasing and is at record levels. However, cancer experts says the key bottleneck that needs addressing is the wait after that treatment with staffing shortages seen as a key problem.
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Thousands of bipolar patients attempting suicide due to 10 year diagnosis delay, study findsUK healthcare system failing the millions of people affected by the condition, a severe mental illness characterised by extreme mood swings and changes in energy levels, according to the Bipolar Commission Report.
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NHS staff in Northern Ireland vote to strikeA GMB Union Organiser said: 'The NHS in Northern Ireland is on life support.'
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