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 adequacy of access to treatment for patients with BRAF-mutated bowel cancer in South Suffolk constituency.

The National Cancer Plan, published in February 2026, sets out how we will ensure equitable and timely access to cancer care and treatment and improve outcomes, including for people in South Suffolk. The plan supports ensuring that all cancer patients, regardless of where they live, have timely access to high-quality, specialist cancer services, including those with bowel cancer and relevant genomic profiles such as BRAF mutations.

The NHS Cancer Programme commissioned the Royal College of Surgeons to deliver new cancer clinical audits, including one for bowel cancer, to strengthen services by assessing treatments and patient outcomes and identifying unwarranted variation.

Additionally, National Health Service regions and Cancer Alliances identify underperforming trusts and provide intensive support including leadership intervention, peer-to-peer mentoring, and seconding senior managers from higher performing trusts. Cancer Alliances will have access to £200 million of ringfenced cancer funding in 2026/27 to improve cancer pathway performance, reduce delays, and speed up diagnosis, ensuring that all patients, including those with bowel cancer, receive the care and treatment they need when they need it.