Chemo buses and at-home treatment increased to help cancer sufferers during lockdown

Potentially life-saving type of radiotherapy requiring fewer hospital visits also fast-tracked

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The rollout of 'chemotherapy buses' and a life-saving type of radiotherapy is being fast-tracked to help cancer sufferers during the coronavirus lockdown.

NHS England has announced it is increasing treatment options outside of hospital, including the introduction of “chemo buses” so people can receive potentially life-saving care without having to travel long distances.

Although some cancer treatments which weaken the immune system have had to be paused until the pandemic eases, almost 30,000 people started treatment during March.

Four cancer buses, based at North Middlesex University Hospital in London and Airedale NHS Trust in Yorkshire, have seen about 60 sessions go ahead each day.

The buses have space for clinical teams to give chemo to four patients at a time, either directly outside of the hospital or in a convenient location for patients.

NHS England has also announced it is accelerating the use of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR), which uses a higher dose than standard radiotherapy.

It is hoped this will cut the number of hospital visits potentially vulnerable cancer patients need to make for treatment sessions from about 30 to five.

Hospitals have also significantly increased the use of chemo at home, with local pharmacy teams and community nurses providing the service to reduce cancer patients’ risk of exposure to the virus.

At the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre in Merseyside, the number of people being treated at home has increased by 15 per cent during the outbreak, with 285 patients in the area having oral chemotherapy delivered to their door by local volunteers.

The news comes after a report by the NHS Federation agreed with an Independent investigation which revealed NHS waiting lists could hit 10 million by the end of this year.

Sir Simon Stevens, NHS chief executive, said: “While the NHS has pulled out all the stops to care for nearly 100,000 older and vulnerable patients who have needed emergency hospital treatment for COVID-19, staff have also worked hard to sustain other services including A&E, maternity care and treatment for urgent and emergency conditions.

“While it’s perhaps unsurprising that as Covid-19 peaked in April there was a large drop in the number of people coming forward for check-ups, now is the time to do so where people have a concern.

“Hospitals are going to great lengths to deliver care and treatment for patients in a safe space, from online consultations to chemo buses and Covid-free surgical hubs. The NHS is also accelerating access to new treatment options, including SABR – a potentially life-saving form of precision radiotherapy for people with cancer.”