Radiotherapy Board praises staff for high-quality service during pandemic

Radiotherapy teams 'rapidly implemented innovative, evidence-based treatment schedules'

Published: 23 November 2020 Radiotherapy

The Radiotherapy Board recognises the significant challenges that have been faced by radiotherapy professionals in continuing to deliver safe, high-quality treatment and care for patients during the Covid-19 pandemic.

These have included the personal impact of a Covid-19 diagnosis and its lasting effects, both individually and within close family. The impact on radiotherapy staff has been significant, including personal separation and loss, and many are accessing available support functions and networks to aid their mental and physical health.

Despite all of this, the radiotherapy community has ensured - and continues to ensure - that services are available to the patients who need them, regardless of their Covid status, during and beyond local, regional and national lockdowns.

Furthermore, the community has rapidly implemented innovative, evidence-based treatment schedules to provide safe yet equally effective treatment at this time - for example by reducing the number of visits required for treatment or, in some cases, offering radiotherapy in place of other treatments such as surgery. Patients with suspected cancer are therefore actively encouraged to come forward for investigation and those referred for radiotherapy should still present for treatment.

As radiotherapy services implement recovery, restoration and reconfiguration plans, the Board recognises the fresh challenges that this presents, especially during a second wave of the pandemic. Compassionate and effective support of all staff and trainees is essential in providing the ongoing safe delivery of these services, critically required to prevent further avoidable cancer deaths.  

The Board does not underestimate the challenges faced, nor the impact on staff and patients. It continues to commend the advice, support and guidance issued by its constituent partner bodies – the Institute of Physics and Engineering in MedicineThe Royal College of Radiologists and the Society and College of Radiographers – as well as the advice provided nationally (which is available through onward links on all three professional body websites).

The Radiotherapy Board provides guidance, oversight and support for the continuing development of high-quality radiotherapy services for cancer patients in the UK. Established in 2013 by The Royal College of Radiologists (RCR), the Society and College of Radiographers (SCoR), and the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM), it has representation from across the four UK nations and from other organisations closely involved in radiotherapy services.