Family doctors failing to refer patients for lifesaving cancer scans ‘due to healthcare cuts’, study reveals

FAMILY doctors are failing to refer patients for urgent cancer scans because they fear being told off for spending too much money, a damning study reveals.

Death rates for some cancers in the UK are already higher than in comparable countries and early diagnosis can boost survival chances.

But the University of Birmingham found doctors can be unwilling to refer patients for hospital checks even if they have obvious symptoms.

The team quizzed 18 GPs and 12 practice chiefs about referrals for suspected bowel cancer.

Around 41,265 people in the UK are diagnosed with it each year.

The study revealed some GPs fail to refer patients as they are either unaware of red-flag symptoms, do not want to scare them, or are worried about financial pressures.

Study leader Elaine Kidney said: “Concerns about over-referral were linked to financial pressures and perceived criticism by healthcare commissioners.”

One doctor told researchers: “The emphasis has moved from benefits and quality of care more towards ‘Is it within our financial means?’”

Sara Hiom, from Cancer Research UK, said: “New government guidelines mean GPs should refer more people with suspicious symptoms than ever before.

“This is because people want tests even if there’s only a slight suspicion of cancer and because diagnosing the disease earlier saves lives."

Prof Helen Stokes-Lampard of the Royal College of GPs said doctors do “an excellent job” with referrals.

But she added: “We face considerable pressure not to refer patients to secondary care, so it’s unsurprising we are cautious.”