MP challenges new Health Secretary to bring cancer treatment closer to home for Cumbrian patients
On the floor of the House of Commons this week, Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron asked the new Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, James Murray, to back plans to bring radiotherapy treatment to Kendal.
Currently, the nearest radiotherapy centre for people living in South Cumbria is in Preston – a daily two-three hour round trip for most patients.
That journey is set to become even longer with news that plans to rebuild Royal Preston Hospital further down south have taken a step forward after the final piece of land for the new site was purchased by the NHS.
Speaking in Parliament on Monday, Tim said: “The Secretary of State mentions some achievements and the progress being made within the NHS. May I bring him back to the issue of cancer treatment?
“According to OECD figures, 53% of cancer patients should receive radiotherapy as their primary treatment.
“In the UK, the figure is only 35%. In Cumbria and Lancashire, it is only 29%.
“This is delaying treatment, delaying cures and preventing people from living long lives.
“Will he take a personal interest in correcting the commissioning so that every single part of this country has access to radiotherapy close to where people live, so that they can be cured with the most up-to-date technology?”
James Murray replied: “The honourable Gentleman is absolutely right to draw attention to the importance of having the right approach to cancer, and our national cancer plan sets out what we as a Government are doing to achieve that.
“He is also right to point to the regional variation in different parts of the country, and to say how important it is not just to raise standards across the country but to ensure that the increase in standards is evenly distributed, so that all areas improve.
“One of my roles as Secretary of State is to ensure that we not only deliver our national cancer plan but support local areas so that they have the right services.”