National Cancer Plan Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Department of Health and Social Care
Joshua Reynolds
Main Page: Joshua Reynolds (Liberal Democrat - Maidenhead)Department Debates - View all Joshua Reynolds's debates with the Department of Health and Social Care
National Cancer Plan
Joshua Reynolds Excerpts(1 day, 14 hours ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Watch Debate Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Andrew Gwynne
My hon. Friend has my assurance on all fronts there. Early diagnosis, more and better research, and identifying how we improve outcomes for people with a variety of cancers are all crucial. His points about leukaemia are well rehearsed in the Department and will be a key part of the national cancer plan.
Mr Joshua Reynolds (Maidenhead) (LD)
Some 3.4 million people in England live further than 45 minutes away from a radiotherapy centre. We all want to see that changed, but one of the challenges will be the fact that eight out of 10 radiotherapists have considered leaving the profession. Could the Minister outline what work the Government are doing to retain and recruit the radiotherapists that we need?
Andrew Gwynne
The hon. Member makes a reasonable point, and part of the reason that we are having a refreshed workforce plan alongside the 10-year NHS plan is precisely to address some of the concerns that he has raised. We need to make sure that we have the right workforce in the right place, and to future-proof it for the kinds of treatments that will come on stream in the coming decade.