Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Access to Radiotherapy

Tuesday 24 February 2026 · 3 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government has invested 70 million in 28 new radiotherapy machines to reduce waiting times and provide 15% more treatments annually.
  • Almost half of cancer centres in urban areas have experienced staff recruitment freezes, impacting access to lifesaving care.
  • The Government is committed to bringing satellite radiotherapy units to coastal and rural areas to ensure communities receive necessary services.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Grahame Morris Lab Easington
NHS
Context

The question is prompted by a need to address disparities in accessing advanced therapeutic radiotherapy, particularly highlighting staff recruitment freezes in more rural and deprived areas.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to tackle inequalities in access to radiotherapy treatment services for cancer patients. I applaud the ambitions in the cancer plan, but my question was about improving access to advanced therapeutic radiotherapy. Almost half the cancer centres in more urban areas have experienced a staff recruitment freeze, and this figure rises to 60% in rural and deprived areas such as east Durham.

Answer from Ashley Dalton

The national cancer plan will improve outcomes for cancer patients. The Government has invested £70 million in 28 new radiotherapy machines, reducing waiting times and providing 15% more treatments annually. We have committed to ensuring that we have the staff where and when we need them, and we are rebalancing training places targeted at trusts in rural areas like east Durham.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps to end recruitment freezes were not detailed

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Q2 Grahame Morris Lab Easington
NHS
Context

The question arises from the observation that cancer centres in more rural and deprived areas face significant staff recruitment freezes, leading to inequitable access to lifesaving care.

Question

What steps is the Minister taking to end such recruitment freezes and ensure that cancer patients, irrespective of where they live, have access to lifesaving care? Almost half the cancer centres in more urban areas have experienced a staff recruitment freeze, and this figure rises to 60% in rural and deprived areas such as east Durham.

Answer from Ashley Dalton

We are committed to improving outcomes for cancer patients. The Government has invested £70 million in 28 new radiotherapy machines, reducing waiting times and providing 15% more treatments annually. We have committed to ensuring that we have the staff where and when we need them, and we are rebalancing training places targeted at trusts in rural areas like east Durham.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps to end recruitment freezes were not detailed

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Q3 Tim Farron Lib Dem Westmorland and Lonsdale
NHS
Context

The question is prompted by the observation that access to radiotherapy for cancer patients in OECD countries averages 53%, while England's proportion is significantly lower at 36%. In Lancashire and South Cumbria, this figure drops to just 29%, with many patients having to travel long distances for treatment.

Question

Will the Minister support our new plans to bring a satellite radiotherapy unit to Kendal, so that people in our communities can experience shorter journeys and longer lives? In OECD countries, the average proportion of people with cancer who have access to radiotherapy is 53%. In England, the proportion is 36%, and in Lancashire and South Cumbria it is just 29%.

Answer from Ashley Dalton

We are committed to ensuring that coastal and rural areas receive the services they need. We are investing more in radiotherapy machines, and we are working with ICBs to ensure that they are providing the services their communities need.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific support for satellite unit in Kendal was not committed to

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