Probe into capital's cancer care

An investigation into London's cancer services is under way today amid concern over standards of care.

Health chiefs have been ordered to find out whether patients in the capital receive poorer quality treatment than patients elsewhere.

The new inquiry comes after a report into cancer services across England by the government's spending watchdog, the National Audit Office (NAO). It discovered cancer patients living in London believe they are getting poorer care.

Charities blame shortages of specialists and support staff, with NHS workers shunning the capital because of the cost of living. Today ministers promised to identify locations with the worst staff shortages and find ways to fill the gaps.

Evening Standard yesterday revealed the case of film assistant Matt Elmy, 31, who died from testicular cancer after doctors failed to diagnose it for a month. The disease was only spotted when Mr Elmy, who ran the 2002 London Marathon, went to hospital in agony and refused to leave.

The NAO asked patients across England 80 questions about cancer care standards. Those in London gave less positive responses to 62 questions than patients in other regions.

Its report says: "The worse experience of care reported in London should be investigated. The National Cancer Director should ensure ... remedial action is taken."

The report praises the overall improvement in cancer services in England - targets on waiting times for patients with suspected cancer are being met. But there were complaints about waits for surgery, cancelled operations, and lack of information for patients. A shortage of radiographersin London has led to some patients waiting more than a year for MRI scans.

Last month, the Standard exposed the "postcode lottery" for breast cancer drug Herceptin. South-west London has the best record in Britain for providing the drug, but north-east London has among the worst.

Professor Alex Markham, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said: "The pressures on services in London are well recognised. Recruitment of healthcare professionals is difficult and leads to reliance on locums and agencies."

A Health Department spokeswoman said "excellent" progress had been made in cancer care but there was more to do. "This includes identifying cancer workforce 'hotspots' in London and improving information for patients," she said.