The Tories have seized on a report which revealed that some cancer patients are being forced to wait months for life-saving treatment

Shadow health secretary Dr Liam Fox called on the government to face up to the "cancer crisis" after a BBC survey found that equipment is lying idle because there is no-one to operate it in some hospitals.

The survey also found that hospitals are unable to recruit and retain professional staff despite record investment in the health service.

"These shocking findings make a further nonsense of the government's claims only last week that real improvements in cancer services are now being achieved," said Fox on Tuesday.

"Sadly, this research confirms the experience of many people up and down the country.

"Delays for cancer treatment are deeply distressing in themselves. But we also know from bitter experience that they cost lives, and that long delays result in curable conditions becoming incurable.

"John Hutton's response is yet further confirmation that the government simply doesn't seem to understand that just setting targets doesn't make services better.

"What is the point of someone with suspected cancer seeing a consultant quickly if there simply isn't the equipment first to diagnose their real condition and second to treat them if that's what they need."