Invest in workforce to tackle Cumbria’s cancer backlog – MP tells Parliament

Cumbrian MP Tim Farron has called for urgent investment in training and retaining NHS staff to tackle the cancer crisis in the county.

In December, more than four in 10 cancer patients in North Cumbria were waiting more than two months to receive their first treatment.

Meanwhile, in South Cumbria and North Lancashire, over 25% of patients hadn't been seen within two months.

Speaking during an Opposition Day Debate on NHS Workforce Expansion this afternoon, Tim said: "Around half of cancer patients need radiotherapy, but barely a quarter get it.

"One reason is that the workforce in radiotherapy is small - 6,400 people.

"At the moment, the number of posts vacant in radiotherapy centres is 30% higher than the number of new graduates leaving college and coming into the professions that make up that workforce.

"We also found in the Radiotherapy UK survey that 80% of the workforce in radiotherapy centres reported that either they or a colleague had considered leaving.

"Does he think that the cancer workforce is essential to a cancer plan that will actually save lives?"

In response, the Shadow Secretary of State for Health, Wes Streeting said: "The honourable gentleman is absolutely right, and I have been following his work and that of the all-party parliamentary group on radiotherapy in this area, because he raises issues that ought to be taken very seriously.

"I was very grateful to my honourable friend the Member for Easington for coming to meet me about these challenges in particular. Of course, this has to be at the heart of a serious plan to improve cancer outcomes."