Brain Cancer Treatments 2023-07-11

2023-07-11

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Meg Hillier Lab Co-op
Hackney South and Shoreditch
Context
The MP notes recent constituent cases of brain tumours leading to limited NHS treatment options. She highlights a shortage of neuro-oncologists.
I have had three constituents in the last year come to see me who have suffered serious brain tumours, and they have had a very similar pathway, which is basically that after a certain point there is little the NHS can do for them. In particular, there is a shortage of neuro-oncologists, and one has spent their life savings on private treatment. Is there any hope, in the NHS workforce plan, that there will be more oncology training and more support for neuro-oncology?
I thank the hon. Lady for her question, and I am sorry to hear of the experience of her three constituents. There certainly is hope within the long-term workforce plan. We are reliant on researchers to submit high-quality research proposals, and that requires clinicians specialising in this area.
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not specify any concrete plans or timelines for additional oncology training or neuro-oncology support despite the questioner's specific ask.
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Meg Hillier Lab Co-op
Hackney South and Shoreditch
Context
The MP references his father's death due to a brain tumour, highlighting the issue for younger people. He also mentions Lord O'Shaughnessy's review on clinical trials in the UK.
What can the Minister do to ensure that appropriate funding is being put into research into brain tumours, especially for younger people, and when will the Government respond to the O'Shaughnessy review into clinical trials in the UK?
I thank my hon. Friend for his question, and I am sorry to hear of his own personal experience. He is absolutely right that in relation to children, we are very keen to find a way forward. The Government are committed to finding high-quality brain cancer research, and we expect to spend more as new research progresses. £40 million of funding announced will remain available. We worked closely with Lord O'Shaughnessy on his review, accepted his recommendations, and put in £121 million to support it.
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not specify when the government would respond to the O'Shaughnessy review despite the questioner's specific ask.
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Context
The MP notes the campaigning work of his colleague on glioblastoma cases, highlighting lack of improvements in outcomes or drug trials over decades.
Might the Minister be prepared to meet me, my hon. Friend and relevant stakeholders across the Department, NHS England and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence to see what more can be done? There are challenges, I know, but what more can be done to make sure that, for families such as my hon. Friend's and Margaret's, and for thousands of others each year, glioblastomas are not simply a death sentence?
I thank the hon. Member for that question and join him in paying tribute to the hon. Member for Mitcham and Morden (Siobhain McDonagh), especially after the tragic loss of her sister, for all the work that she has done in campaigning on this issue. I have spent significant time on the issue and I have met her, campaigners, charities and other hon. Members from across the House. Funding for research is available and, having spoken with the Secretary of State, I know that he is as keen as I am to work with colleagues from across the House.
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not specify any concrete plans or actions despite the questioner's specific ask for a meeting and tangible outcomes.
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
Wes Streeting Lab
Ilford North
Context
The MP is concerned about the effectiveness of current brain cancer treatments and requests steps taken to improve them.
What steps he is taking to help improve the effectiveness of brain cancer treatments.
We are working closely with research partners, and although I am pleased to say that more research is being funded, we want to see more research in brain cancer treatments. We continue to encourage more researchers to become involved in what remains a challenging scientific area, with a relatively small research community.
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not specify any concrete steps or timelines despite the questioner's specific ask for action on improving brain cancer treatments.
Response accuracy