Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve support for people living with secondary breast cancer in rural areas.

Reducing unwarranted variation in cancer treatment is a strategic priority for NHS England’s Cancer Programme. The programme was commissioned by the Royal College of Surgeons and aims to deliver 10 cancer clinical audits, including two audits on primary and metastatic breast cancer.

To help improve outcomes and treatments for patients in all areas, NHS England funded an audit into primary and metastatic breast cancer. Using routine data collected on patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in a National Health Service setting as part of their care and treatment, the audit brings together information to look at what is being done well, where it’s being done well, and what needs to be done better. On 12 September 2024 the National Cancer Audit Collaborating Centre published their State of the Nation Report on primary and metastatic breast cancer.

The Department supports statutory integrated care systems (ICSs) in delivering NHS services across England. ICSs are partnerships of organisations which come together to plan and deliver joined up health and care services, to improve the lives of the people who live and work in their area. This includes considering adequate healthcare provision for populations in towns and rural areas, and working collaboratively to plan for population change.

The organisations within an ICS include the NHS, local government, social care providers, charities, and other organisations working together to provide more joined up care for people, and to improve the outcomes for their populations.