Prostate Cancer: National Screening Programme

Baroness Manzoor Excerpts

Thursday 27th February 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

The noble Baroness is absolutely right. I encourage everyone, men and women, to be aware of any changes in their bodies. They are not wasting the time of their GP. That is exactly what they should do. As she says, men are disproportionately affected by a number of health conditions, including some cancers, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. As part of addressing this, the Secretary of State has announced that we are developing a men’s health strategy, not least because we know that men are less likely to come forward to deal with health matters.

[Baroness Manzoor (Con)]

My Lords, in the absence of a national screening programme and given the difficulty in getting access to GPs, particularly in deprived areas, how are the Government improving access to GPs? In some areas, it is two to three weeks before people can get an appointment.

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

Again, I am sure that the noble Baroness would agree that the important thing is that people ensure that they do not ignore the situation. I agree that the situation that we inherited was hugely difficult, particularly in some areas, around GPs. In the 10-year plan, which will be published in the coming months, there will be a big focus on the move from sickness to prevention, from analogue to digital, and from hospital to community. In all three pillars, greater access to GP appointments will be included.