At what point is chemo in danger of not going ahead?

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Very afraid of this happening as I have a parent with advanced cancer. When will hospitals not be able to cope safely with chemo patients and be forced to postpone? Is anyone else worrying about this?

Postponement will be disastrous in the very worst possible way for us, as I'm sure it will be for many other families.

I don't know the answer, sorry. What's their treatment, is it palliative or curative?

I work with cancer patients and some had chemo delayed during the first lock down. I suppose the worry is if the person gets neutropenic and could potentially need ITU care. However many types of chemo, particularly for older people will be much gentler with lesser side effects. What type of chemo is it ?

There are two scenarios - firstly the chemo nursing team takes such a hit from Covid they can't staff the number of treatments needed. They will try everything including bringing in matrons etc, medics etc, anybody with a skill set to keep patients safe. Some treatments might get delayed or move.
Second scenario is worse, in this scenario nhs staffing as a whole has taken such a hit that everything stops other than caring on wards/icu/a &e. That is likely to be pretty short as a time of crisis and everybody will be pulled in. I'm a non clinical manager, I'd be making beds and handing out breakfast in that scenario.
Depending on where you are in the country the first scenario will vary between possible and unlikely. The second is probably unlikely. I hope. Try not to dwell on it though, nothing you can do to influence it I'm afraid.

Sorry, just seeing the replies to my thread now.

It's an aggressive chemo programme as the hope is for remission but cancer is advanced so we're devastated and frightened anyway, covid or no covid. Obviously though covid makes everything a million times harder because now we're scared of the implications of healthcare being forced to close down or postpone.

Parent is only in their 50's so not elderly. Best thing in their favour is they are (or, they were before cancer) fit and healthy to start with.

Depending on where you are in the country the first scenario will vary between possible and unlikely. The second is probably unlikely. I hope. Try not to dwell on it though, nothing you can do to influence it I'm afraid.

Yeah I guess you're right there's nothing we can do to influence but honestly it's impossible not to have moments of intense worry at times, despite hoping as much as possible things will be ok. I have to remember the worst case scenario is not a definite.

I'm worrying quietly of course, while outwardly being calm and optimistic!

I work for a large private healthcare company many of their hospitals have been used for Chemo since the first lockdown, that may be a possibility for your parent.

My DF had his chemo out on hold since lockdown 1, they kept him on the same plan even though it wasn't actually working properly anymore and he was getting worse. He is due to move to a new type next week, though I am terrified this will get postponed