Access to Radiotherapy 2026-02-24
2026-02-24
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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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.
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.
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.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific steps to end recruitment freezes were not detailed
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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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.
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.
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.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific steps to end recruitment freezes were not detailed
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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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.
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%.
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.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific support for satellite unit in Kendal was not committed to
Response accuracy