Covid-19 Update

Debate between David Evennett and Matt Hancock

Tuesday 2nd February 2021 Commons Chamber

[Matt Hancock]

I will take those representations to my Cabinet colleagues, as I know that they are working hard to ensure that everybody gets the support they need.

[Sir David Evennett (Bexleyheath and Crayford) (Con) [V]]

The roll-out of the vaccine across my borough of Bexley has been very successful to date, and I congratulate all involved. Will my right hon. Friend note that NHS information and co-operation across our area of south-east London has been absolutely superb? Will he confirm, though, that the second doses of the vaccine will be delivered on time, including to the housebound?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Evennett and Matt Hancock

Tuesday 29th October 2019 Commons Chamber

[Matt Hancock]

The prevention Green Paper that we published in the summer specifically addresses what is needed. The effort that we put into supporting those who are hospitalised through their abuse of alcohol needs to be enhanced, and there is an enormous amount of effort under way to make that happen.

[Sir David Evennett (Bexleyheath and Crayford) (Con)]

T8. Does the Minister agree that the latest data on the soft drinks industry levy is encouraging and a positive step in the campaign to improve health, particularly of young people?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Evennett and Matt Hancock

Tuesday 7th May 2019 Commons Chamber

[Matt Hancock]

I am absolutely happy to meet the group. According to the latest figures, about four in 10 of all cancer patients are treated with radiotherapy; it is a critical treatment to tackle cancer. As I say, there has been an investment programme to replace and upgrade radiotherapy equipment, with 80 upgrades or replacements over the past three years, but there is clearly more to do to make sure that people with cancer get the best possible treatment.

[Sir David Evennett (Bexleyheath and Crayford) (Con)]

24. May I welcome the NHS long-term plan commitment to complete the £130 million upgrade of radiotherapy machines throughout England? I ask my right hon. Friend to confirm that more effective radiotherapy will mean patients experiencing fewer side effects and having shorter treatment.

[Matt Hancock]

Yes, that is exactly right. That is why we have put in place the new LINACs—linear accelerators, the equipment that is being rolled out across the country in a £130 million programme. We are always looking at what more we can do to help people to beat cancer.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Evennett and Matt Hancock

Tuesday 23rd October 2018 Commons Chamber

[Kwasi Kwarteng (Spelthorne) (Con)]

11. What steps he is taking to increase the rate of early diagnosis of cancer.

[The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Matt Hancock)]

Britain is world leading at treating cancer when it is discovered, but we do not diagnose it early enough, so we will radically overhaul our screening programmes, roll out rapid diagnostic centres for people with early symptoms, and expand mobile lung screening units. Our ambition is to ensure that three quarters of cancers are diagnosed at stage 1 or 2 by 2028, up from half today.

[Sir David Evennett]

May I first highlight the excellent Guy’s Cancer Centre at Queen Mary’s hospital in Sidcup, a state-of-the-art facility which offers local cancer patients treatment closer to home? Secondly, can my right hon. Friend provide any detail on how the NHS long-term plan will improve cancer services?

[Matt Hancock]

Yes. Focusing on early diagnosis will help to save lives. Indeed, the cancer survival rates have never been higher than they are now. About 7,000 people who are alive today would not have been had mortality rates stayed the same as they were in 2010. However, we want to use the most cutting-edge technologies in order to save more lives.