Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to ensure talking therapies are provided to help people diagnosed with cancer.

Many general practice surgeries provide counselling or therapy services on the National Health Service. If counselling or therapy is not available at the surgery, patients may be referred to a local psychological therapies service.

NHS England is supporting local implementation of the Recovery Package for cancer patients as part of our £200 million investment to transform cancer services across the country. The aim of the Recovery Package is to help ensure patients have more personal care and support from the point they are diagnosed. For a patient, this means working with their care team to develop a comprehensive plan outlining not only their physical needs, but also other support they may need, such as therapy or counselling services, help at home or financial advice.

By 2020, the Government want all patients in England to have access to the Recovery Package.