Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of developing a dedicated national brain tumour strategy within the Major Conditions Strategy framework to help improve (a) early diagnosis rates, (b) research funding allocation, (c) access to Clinical Nurse Specialists and (d) treatment outcomes for patients with brain tumours.

Plans to publish a final major conditions strategy were paused following the announcement of the general election. We are developing a 10-year plan to radically reform the National Health Service, and My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has been clear that there needs to be a national cancer plan, which will include brain cancer. We are currently in discussions about this plan and its relationship to the 10-Year Health Plan and the Government’s wider health mission.

To improve early diagnosis rates for brain cancer, we have expanded general practice direct access to diagnostic scans, including brain magnetic resonance imaging.

In September 2024, the Government announced new research opportunities, including a National Institute for Health Care and Research Brain Tumour Research Consortium and a funding call to generate high quality evidence in brain tumour care, support, and rehabilitation.

To improve outcomes, NHS England is committed to ensuring that all cancer patients are offered Holistic Needs Assessment and Personalised Care and Support Planning, ensuring care is focused on what matters most to each person. As well as this, all patients, including those with secondary cancers, will have access to the right expertise and support, including a Clinical Nurse Specialist or other support worker.