Cancer: Older People

Baroness Burt of Solihull Excerpts

Tuesday 19th November 2024 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

It is important that we concentrate on the biggest ever NHS consultation, because that will lead us to the 10-year plan, and all that we are doing will sit within that. As the noble Lord will know, we are committed to getting the NHS to diagnose cancer earlier, treat it faster and improve waiting times. One of the announcements in the recent Budget, which also shifts the dial, is that we will deliver an extra 40,000 scan appointments and operations every week. The 10-year health plan will set out our approach for shifting healthcare from sickness to prevention, including reducing the incidence of cancer.

[Baroness Burt of Solihull (LD)]

My Lords, my mother-in-law died riddled with cancer that was not diagnosed until the very end of her life. We know that older people often suffer from several conditions and that frailty may minimise the treatment options available. The comprehensive geriatric assessment is the gold standard for the assessment of older patients and can make a real difference in outcome and cost, but cancer is not embedded in that assessment. Will the Minister find out from clinicians whether that might be possible?

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I give my sincere condolences to the noble Baroness and her family. Yes, I will raise that. It is a good point to look at, and I thank her.