Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will have discussions with NHS England on improving access to radiotherapy treatments for cancer patients in rural areas.

NHS England and the integrated care boards are responsible for ensuring that the healthcare needs of local communities are met. These responsibilities include considering adequate healthcare provision, care, and wider support for local populations, including in remote and rural areas.

For those who may struggle to access treatment, the NHS Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme provides financial assistance to patients in England who do not have a medical need for transport, but who require assistance with the costs of travelling to receive certain National Health Services. The NHS Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services provide funded transport where a medical condition means that a patient would struggle to safely attend their treatment independently.