Thousands of terminal breast cancer patients 'abandoned' due to NHS nurse shortage

Almost three-quarters of NHS trusts do not provide dedicated nurses, figures show

The government’s cancer strategy claimed three years ago that all cancer patients would have access to a designated nurse by 2020 (PA)

Thousands of terminal breast cancer patients are being left “abandoned” amid a shortage of specialist nurses, Breast Cancer Care has said.

The charity released figures showing almost three-quarters (72 per cent) of NHS trusts across the UK do not provide dedicated nurses.

It said there had only been a 7 per cent increase in trusts providing crucial nursing support in the two years since it last investigated the issue.

It comes despite the government’s cancer strategy promising three years ago that all cancer patients would have access to a designated nurse by 2020.

“Our staggering findings reveal just how much NHS nursing care for people with incurable breast cancer has stagnated,” Breast Cancer Care’s chief executive, Samia al Qadhi, said.

“After this life-changing and life-limiting diagnosis patients continue to be abandoned without the ongoing, specialist support they need to manage complex treatment and debilitating side effects, like chronic pain and fatigue.

“People living with incurable breast cancer tell us that access to a specialist nurse is the single most important aspect of their care and without it they feel isolated, forgotten and invisible.

“So today’s failings must not be swept under the carpet.”

Ms Qadhi called on the government to provide funding to ensure that everyone has access to the specialist support they need, when they need it.

The charity also found 40 per cent of trusts were unable to state how many breast cancer patients are currently in their care.

Over 70 per cent do not assess people’s emotional and physical needs at diagnosis and throughout their treatment, and 80 per cent do not give all patients a summary at the end of each treatment, including about how they responded to it.

An estimated 35,000 people are living with secondary breast cancer in the UK and around 11,500 people die from the disease each year.