Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Julie Minns and Ashley Dalton(2 weeks ago)
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Ashley Dalton
As the hon. Gentleman is probably aware, this Government’s cancer plan, which I launched just over a week ago, is the first ever cancer plan to have a section on children and young people with cancer and to commit to supporting children holistically throughout their cancer journey. I am more than happy to have a conversation with him about the issues that he has raised.
Ms Julie Minns (Carlisle) (Lab)
National Cancer Plan
Debate between Julie Minns and Ashley Dalton(1 month ago)
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Ashley Dalton
I can assure the hon. Member that we are working with our Welsh counterparts to make sure that there is equity of access to resources and to information, and we will continue to do so.
Ms Julie Minns (Carlisle) (Lab)
The reality is that if someone lives in a big city with access to a university teaching hospital, their access to cancer treatment will be different from those who live in a town or small city like Carlisle, where we face challenges in recruiting and retaining specialist consultants. Does the Minister agree that this plan, combined with the pioneering approach to training doctors at the new Pears Cumbria School of Medicine, will begin to fix those inequalities that my constituents experience?
Ashley Dalton
That is absolutely the case. This plan will support people in my hon. Friend’s constituency by expanding access to community diagnostic centres and personalised neighbourhood-based cancer care. We are also focusing on recruiting more cancer specialists for rural and coastal areas, and are supporting that through the workforce plan.