During health Question in the House of Commons, John Baron MP, Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Cancer, asked the Government to give assurances that its health reforms will improve treatment for patients suffering from rarer cancers.
John asked:
“The All-Party Cancer group’s report last year found that those with rarer cancers got a raw deal from the NHS when it came to access to treatment and drugs. How will the new cancer fund put right that wrong?”
The Minister highlighted the fact that the Government intends to spend £50 Million in the remainder of the year on the interim cancer drugs fund with a further £200 Million for cancer drugs available from next year. The minister also highlighted the importance of survival rates and the increased use of diagnostic tests.
John said afterward:
“Both the Government’s focus on survival rates, particularly the one year survival indicator, and the introduction of the cancer drugs fund is commendable. Care should be taken, however, in the implementation of the cancer drugs fund so that it does not add to the ‘postcode lottery’ as there is early evidence of disparity of access between regions.”
John Baron will not post replies to any comments - to contact John please Click here or alternatively for a full list of contact details Click here