Recommendation 11

Macmillan Cancer Support and Healthwatch Suffolk submitted evidence to us containing powerful examples of the uncertainty, anxiety and other problems long waits cause patients. Macmillan Cancer Support told us that the impact of cancer care backlogs was being felt by people at all stages of the cancer pathway and that people were worried about a reduced chance of surviving cancer because of the delays.22 On elective care, Healthwatch Suffolk told us of the wider, often long-term impacts that treatment delays can have, including people having to live with increased pain and experiencing detrimental effects on their mental health, social life, and wellbeing.23 19 C&AG’s Report, para 2 20 Q 13 21 Q 14 22 NHS0033 23 NHS0008 Managing NHS backlogs and waiting times in England 11 2 Ensuring effectiveness of recovery plans Additional spending