Cancer hiring freezes double, risking patient care.

Half of the UK's specialist cancer treatment centers imposed recruitment freezes in 2025, a significant increase from the previous year. The Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) reported that 60% of these centers banned hiring clinical oncologists, more than doubling the 2024 figure. Radiology departments also saw a rise in hiring bans, affecting over a third of units.

These staffing freezes are attributed to NHS financial pressures and a drive for rapid savings. RCR president Dr. Stephen Harden described the bans as short-sighted and potentially dangerous, warning that they worsen chronic doctor shortages and can lead to delayed diagnoses and limited treatment options. For cancer patients, each month's delay can increase the risk of death by approximately 10%.

The RCR's findings emerge as the government launches new plans to enhance cancer care in England, which aim to increase staff numbers and leverage technology. However, the RCR cautions that ongoing recruitment freezes directly conflict with these ambitions, particularly for smaller centers serving rural communities.

Additionally, these hiring bans contributed to a record £325 million spent in 2024 on locum staff and private firms to cover rota gaps and scan analysis. NHS England stated it has grown its radiology and oncology workforces by approximately 5% in 2024 and is supporting local systems in financial deficit to continue improving productivity and treating more patients.