Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Brain Cancer Treatments

Tuesday 11 July 2023 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Meg Hillier raised concerns about the shortage of neuro-oncologists and the limited support the NHS can provide to brain tumour patients.
  • The Minister acknowledged the need for appropriate funding in brain tumour research, particularly for younger patients, and referenced the ongoing work on the O'Shaughnessy review.
  • Paul Bristow proposed a meeting with stakeholders to address challenges and improve support for families affected by brain cancer.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Meg Hillier Labour (Co-op) Hackney South and Shoreditch
NHS
Context

The MP notes recent constituent cases of brain tumours leading to limited NHS treatment options. She highlights a shortage of neuro-oncologists.

Question

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?

Answer from Will Quince

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not specify any concrete plans or timelines for additional oncology training or neuro-oncology support despite the questioner's specific ask.

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Q2 Meg Hillier Labour (Co-op) Hackney South and Shoreditch
NHS Science & Technology
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Will Quince

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not specify when the government would respond to the O'Shaughnessy review despite the questioner's specific ask.

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Q3 Paul Bristow
NHS
Context

The MP notes the campaigning work of his colleague on glioblastoma cases, highlighting lack of improvements in outcomes or drug trials over decades.

Question

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?

Answer from Will Quince

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not specify any concrete plans or actions despite the questioner's specific ask for a meeting and tangible outcomes.

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Q4 Wes Streeting Lab Ilford North
NHS
Context

The MP is concerned about the effectiveness of current brain cancer treatments and requests steps taken to improve them.

Question

What steps he is taking to help improve the effectiveness of brain cancer treatments.

Answer from Will Quince

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not specify any concrete steps or timelines despite the questioner's specific ask for action on improving brain cancer treatments.

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