Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Children’s Cancer Care: South-East

13 March 2024 · 12 other contributors · 9,396 words

Opened by Munira Wilson Lib Dem Twickenham

Responding minister: Andrea Leadsom

NHS

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Munira Wilson raised concerns about children’s cancer care: south-east in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Concerns have been raised about the fairness and transparency of NHS England's decision-making process for the placement of a new children's cancer centre in the South-East.
  • The proposed decision is based on Professor Sir Mike Richards' review, which mandates that cancer services must be located near intensive care units to provide critical life support for severely ill children.
  • NHS England aims to end risky hospital transfers, ensure quality of care with access to cutting-edge technology, and facilitate seamless treatment for children with cancer.

Key requests to Government

The Minister must provide an assurance that the decision will be made fairly and transparently, especially considering the significant concerns raised about the current process. She should also assess the evidence regarding clinical outcomes, convenience for patients, and risks associated with relocating services.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Munira Wilson Lib Dem Twickenham

Jackson's parents received a devastating diagnosis in 2020 for their two-year-old child with leukaemia. After three years of treatment at St George's Hospital, Jackson successfully completed his treatment. The hospital is praised by patients and families for its excellent care. NHS England will decide on the placement of a new children's cancer centre between St George's Hospital in Tooting and the Evelina London Children's Hospital. Concerns have been raised about the fairness and transparency of the decision-making process, with 2,500 consultation responses indicating strong support for St George's. The process is criticised for being flawed and predetermined.

Other contributors (12)
  • Christopher Chope Con Christchurch

    In the absence of the Minister, called Sarah Olney with the consent of the House.

  • Edward Davey Lib Dem Kingston and Surbiton

    Edward Davey, whose son has been treated at both St George's Hospital and the Evelina Children's Hospital, argued that NHS England should choose St George's as the location for specialist children's cancer services due to its current provision of neurosurgery, paediatric oncology surgery expertise, bone marrow transplant programme, and 25 years of experience in treating children with cancer. He cited concerns over financial risks and staff shortages if the primary treatment centre were moved to the Evelina.

  • Elliot Colburn Con Carshalton and Wallington

    Paediatric cancer care requires specialised expertise. St George's Hospital has 25 years of experience, an 'outstanding' rating from CQC for delivering cancer services to children, and is already set up with key treatments available. Moving the service could cost £2.5 million in the first year alone.

  • Florence Eshalomi Lab Co-op Vauxhall and Camberwell Green

    She thanked the hon. Member for a powerful speech and emphasised the importance of NHS England's independence, advocating that decisions be based on clinical knowledge free from political interference.

  • Jonathan Lord

    The MP acknowledged the quality of care provided by existing hospitals but expressed a need to consider the final decision with an open mind, based on evidence and reasoning from the consultation process.

  • Karin Smyth Lab Bristol South

    The MP highlighted the challenges faced by children and young people with cancer, including early diagnosis issues and long wait times. She mentioned that over 400,000 children are waiting for consultant-led treatment and criticized the government's failure to meet targets.

  • Lord Con Woking

    Mr Lord intervened to reiterate his support for the current consultation process, underscoring its transparency and inclusiveness.

  • Paul Beresford

    Paul Beresford acknowledged the need for a children's cancer centre but argued in favour of the Evelina Hospital over St George's due to its design specifically for child patients. He noted the difficulties of accessing St George's via public transport and mentioned that parking at St George's can be challenging, while the Evelina offers specific parking arrangements. The MP agreed with Munira Wilson, stating that consultants at St George's would be insulted if they felt their current service was not being built upon.

  • Sarah Olney Lib Dem Richmond Park

    She congratulated her constituency neighbour on securing the debate and highlighted that St George's Hospital would be a better home for paediatric cancer care in south London. She shared her personal experience of excellent paediatric care at St George's and emphasized the importance of car access for patients with increased susceptibility to infections due to chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

  • Siobhain McDonagh Lab Mitcham and Morden

    Siobhain McDonagh highlighted the practical challenges faced by families if children's cancer services were to be moved from St George's Hospital. She cited several cases, including that of Angela whose daughter was treated at St George's, emphasising the importance of local transport and parking facilities.

  • Paul Beresford Con Mole Valley

    Sir Paul emphasised the importance of an open consultation process and expressed support for it, highlighting that clinical decisions should be made by those with specialist knowledge.

  • Stephen Hammond Con Wimbledon

    He congratulated Florence Eshalomi on initiating the debate, expressed concerns about the scoring process which he believes should prioritise clinical outcomes and evidence over preference, highlighting issues with cancer survival rates for young children. The Evelina is a great hospital, but there are concerns about the loss of neonatal and paediatric services if co-location happens at the Evelina.

Government Response

Andrea Leadsom

Thank you, Sir Christopher. The debate has been a crucial discussion on children's cancer care in south London and the south-east. NHS England has proposed changes based on Professor Sir Mike Richards' review, which mandates that cancer services must be located near intensive care units to provide critical life support for severely ill children. This decision aims to end risky hospital transfers, ensure quality of care with access to cutting-edge technology, and facilitate seamless treatment approaches. Both Evelina London Children's Hospital and St George's Hospital have been considered as potential sites for the principal treatment centre based on public consultation feedback last year, both options maintaining radiotherapy at University College Hospital. NHS England has conducted a rigorous 12-week consultation, listening to patients, parents, and clinical experts, and their process will be informed by all received inputs. The proposed new centre will offer a family-friendly environment for children and young people, providing groundbreaking research opportunities while upskilling the workforce and supporting innovative treatments. Ensuring continuity of care, NHS England guarantees no sudden changes post-decision and assures that experienced staff will move to future centres without redundancy risks. An independent research organisation published findings in January following consultation closure, and an upcoming NHS England meeting on 13 March will livestream its discussion and decision regarding the future location of the centre.

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