Webinar resource
Following World Cancer Day on 4 February 2026 and the launch of the new National Cancer Plan for England, NHS Resolution hosted a national primary care webinar on the delayed diagnosis of cancer in general practice, chaired by Ellen Nicholson, Safety and Learning Lead for General Practice.
The webinar was fortunate to have an outstanding panel of expert speakers. Professor Peter Johnson, NHS England’s National Clinical Director for Cancer, provided the national scene setting, touching on the new national cancer plan. He highlighted that urgent suspected cancer referrals have increased sharply, while conversion rates remain low, making risk identification challenging. He also noted that younger adults, people from Black and Asian communities, and those with learning disabilities or mental health needs face greater barriers to referral. There was discussion around about the unique perspective claims data can bring, and how this supports the wider national strategy.
NHS Resolution’s Samantha Thomas, ELSGP delayed cancer thematic review author and Midlands and East Safety and Learning Lead, emphasised the findings from ELSGP delayed cancer review, such as major contributors to delay:
- Misdiagnosis without a differential diagnosis
- Missed or late two week wait referral
- Fragmented contact across 111, OOH, A&E
Dr Kathy Smith, an Out of Hours GP and Medical Examiner noted from the medical examiner perspective that common issues were: access delays, poor follow-up, missed two week wait opportunities, and inadequate communication as well as how late stage diagnoses reduce scope for treatment and affect end of life planning. Dr Nick Swale, a South West GP and Expert Witness discussed the frequent themes that he sees in medico-legal claims.
