10-Year Cancer Plan 2022-12-06
2022-12-06
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The Department of Health had planned to publish a 10-year cancer plan, but it has been delayed.
When his Department will publish the 10-year cancer plan. While the Government have delayed, cancer patients have faced unacceptable waiting times for diagnosis and treatment. I ask the Minister respectfully: does she agree that we in this House and the people of this country now need a long-term, ambitious plan to reduce waits and ensure that cancer patients in this country have the best outcomes possible? Will she set out a timeline—not just say “shortly”—for delivering such a plan?
I cannot comment on what is happening in Northern Ireland because health is a devolved matter. In England, we are investing £8 billion over three years to clear the elective backlog and are seeing record numbers of patients. Despite delays in cancer waiting times, 91% of patients receive treatment within 31 days compared with 87% in Northern Ireland. We will update the House shortly on the timeline for delivering the 10-year cancer plan.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a specific timeline or ambitious plan as requested
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Diagnostic activity is crucial for the treatment of cancer patients, forming part of over 85% of clinical pathways.
Will my hon. Friend confirm that diagnostic activity will receive due recognition in the 10-year cancer strategy?
My hon. Friend's points will be taken on board as we go through responses to the call for evidence and update the House shortly.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm that diagnostic activities will receive due recognition in the plan
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
A constituent was diagnosed with grade 4 glioblastoma multiforme and experienced delays in accessing scans due to NHS backlogs.
What plans does the Minister have to make sure that the 10-year cancer plan really gets to grips with the backlog, which is devastating people's lives?
We are setting up 91 community diagnostic centres to provide a range of tests, including CTs, ultrasounds and MRIs. We expect to deliver up to 160 community diagnostic centres in total with the capacity for up to 9 million more scans per year when they are fully operational.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address plans specifically for tackling backlogs and delays
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Cancer is a leading cause of death for children under 14, and there are numerous instances of failure and missed opportunities in detection, treatment, and care.
Does the Minister agree that we need a childhood cancer mission embedded in any cancer strategy if we are serious about saving other families from tragedy?
We will update the House shortly on our progress regarding a child cancer mission following my meeting with Charlotte Fairall, who tragically lost her daughter Sophie.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific support or timeline for embedding a childhood cancer mission in the plan
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The government has delayed publishing a cancer plan despite concerns about waiting times for diagnosis and treatment.
While the Government have delayed, cancer patients have faced unacceptable waiting times for diagnosis and treatment. Despite delays in waiting times, 91% of patients receive treatment within 31 days compared with 87% in Northern Ireland in June.
We are not waiting for a cancer plan to start on backlogs: that is why this Government are investing £8 billion over three years to clear the elective backlog.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a specific timeline or ambitious plan as requested
Response accuracy