National Health Service: Major Conditions Strategy

Debate between Lord Markham and Lord Aberdare

Monday 18th September 2023 Lords Chamber

[Lord Markham (Con)]

My Lords, the noble Baroness is absolutely correct. That is set out in the long-term workforce plan: a move much more upstream to prevention and primary care, of which community nurses will be a key part. The recruitment is in place for it all. Yes, a lot of people might see the action as being in the acute sector, but a lot of people really enjoy working in the community as part of their lifestyle. The hope and expectation is that it will appeal to a lot of people in those areas as well.

[Lord Aberdare (CB)]

My Lords, less survivable cancers such as pancreatic cancer are often characterised by vague, non-specific symptoms, making them hard to diagnose. Will the major conditions plan include making funds available for symptoms awareness campaigns to ensure that these signs of deadly cancers are not missed? Will it also cover increased funding for research aimed at increasing survival rates for pancreatic cancer, which is the deadliest common cancer? Survival rates have hardly changed in the past 50 years, whereas for leukaemia there has been a surge in survival rates following an increase in funding for research.

Health: Pancreatic Cancer

Debate between Lord Markham and Lord Aberdare

Monday 21st November 2022 Lords Chamber

[Lord Markham (Con)]

I understand that the leader in this field is GRAIL. This blood screening is happening in America right now, and NICE is undertaking studies in this field to see whether it should be brought to the UK. We will have its findings. I agree that pancreatic cancer is an area where early detection is key. It is not just about the screening but about people going to their doctor if they have any concerns at all, as I say. We have non-specific symptoms pathways to help doctors to detect what is wrong.

[Lord Aberdare (CB)]

My Lords, the UK ranks 29th of 33 countries for five-year pancreatic cancer survival rates. At the very least, we should ensure that pancreatic cancer patients get the best possible treatments in the short time usually available to them, with over half dying within three months. One such treatment is pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy—PERT—which helps them to eat and digest their food, but only about half of pancreatic cancer sufferers are offered this treatment. What are the Government doing to understand why this is the case and to ensure that all pancreatic cancer patients who need PERT are offered it?

[Lord Markham (Con)]

I thank the noble Lord. This case has also been brought forward by the noble Lord, Lord Moynihan, who could not be here today, but he is very keen on this as well. We have now put PERT into NICE guidelines, so it should be offered. I am meeting my noble friend Lord Moynihan to make sure that these things are being taken up, and I would be happy to extend that invitation to the noble Lord.

British Heart Foundation: Tipping Point Report

Debate between Lord Markham and Lord Aberdare

Tuesday 8th November 2022 Lords Chamber

[Lord Markham (Con)]

I believe that extensive, detailed research is being done in those areas under the overall guidance of Sir Chris Whitty. We will share this when we have the results.

[Lord Aberdare (CB)]

My Lords, what assessment has been made of how many extra deaths could have been prevented by faster access to defibrillators? What steps are the Government taking to increase the availability of defibrillators, particularly in the light of the current severe supply problems affecting them and their parts?

[Lord Markham (Con)]

I am afraid I do not have information on the number of deaths. I will investigate this. I can say that I am sure that we have all seen a great increase in the number of defibrillators and we very much encourage this.