The Royal College of Physicians (RCP), the Royal College of Radiologists, the UK Association of Supportive Care in Cancer and the Association for Palliative Medicine warned despite remarkable advances in cancer treatment and rising survival rates, services are struggling to keep pace with demand.

Dr Hilary Williams, incoming RCP clinical vice president and a consultant medical oncologist, said: ‘Supportive and acute oncology must be seen as essential components of modern cancer care – not optional extras.  

‘As the number of people living with cancer grows and their treatment becomes more complex, we must invest in workforce, training and integrated care pathways that support patients in hospital, in the community and at home.'

The colleges called for:

• supportive and acute oncology to be embedded within the NHS England National Cancer Plan and other health strategies 
• all cancer centres to be supported to develop high-quality supportive oncology services, backed by dedicated funding and a clear framework for ‘what good looks like'
• clinical fellowships in supportive oncology to be expanded, alongside an expansion in training places for oncologists, palliative care doctors and allied health professionals
• innovative models such as hospital at home, same-day emergency care and enhanced supportive care to be scaled up and evaluated nationally. 

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: ‘Through our 10-Year Health Plan, we are transforming the NHS to improve services and outcomes across the board – including for cancer.  

‘We are investing an extra £1.5bn in new surgical hubs and AI scanners to help catch more cancers faster and are opening new community diagnostic centres 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, to increase community care and support our National Cancer Plan.'

The DHSC said it had been working with the Royal Colleges as part of the development of the National Cancer Plan and welcome their ongoing input and advice.