Patients Given Drugs to Meet Quotas

Daily Mail - 'Prostate patients' given drugs just to meet targets

Thousands of men with prostate cancer are being given unnecessary and potentially harmful drug treatment to clear hospital waiting lists, according to a leading cancer specialist.

Oncologist Chris Hamilton claims the "crazy" system of Government targets means prostate patients often head the queue for radiotherapy treatment - even when they don't need it - ahead of other cancer patients.

But hospitals face penalties if cancer patients are not given treatment within four weeks, he said.