National Cancer Plan

Liz Saville Roberts Excerpts

Thursday 5th February 2026 Commons Chamber

[Ashley Dalton]

The cancer plan sets out policies that have been developed specifically to tackle geographic inequalities in cancer care, with increased medical training places in rural and coastal areas, improved data transparency on the quality of care and performance of trusts, and investment in cancer alliances that proactively support local communities, while treatment support from neighbourhood care leads will help people to navigate their cancer pathways. Cancer outcomes should not be dependent on someone’s location in the country, so we are working to bring postcode lotteries to an end. We are using the NHS app so that patients can manage their cancer treatment themselves. More widely—this relates to what we announced in the summer for the 10-year health plan—single patient records will also allow patients to access services more easily, particularly across different ICBs.

[Liz Saville Roberts (Dwyfor Meirionnydd) (PC)]

Does the Department have a procurement strategy to ensure security of supply of medical radioisotopes, which are so critical for diagnosis and treatment? Could the Minister provide details of the co-operation and assessments made by her Government with the Welsh Government on Project ARTHUR, the isotope reactor scheme at Trawsfynydd?

[Ashley Dalton]

I understand that the right hon. Lady has already met the Minister for health innovation, my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow South West (Dr Ahmed), to discuss these issues, and that he will continue to work with her on them and to explore them further.