Many thanks to those who have contacted me about the backlog in cancer treatment.
I know that the Government is absolutely committed to supporting the NHS recovery from Covid-19, investing billions to help tackle the Covid-19 backlog. More than £8 billion will be spent up to 2025 and cancer patients will absolutely benefit from these commitments, which could deliver the equivalent of around nine million more checks, scans and procedures.
Additionally, I warmly welcome the commitment of £2.3 billion in the 2021 Spending Review to transform diagnostic services through the rollout of Community Diagnostic Centres. These will offer rapid access to clinical tests and life-saving checks closer to home. In their first full year of operation, it is expected that the centres will deliver up to 2.8 million scans and 4.5 million scans by 2025, playing an important role in helping to reduce overall waiting times.
During the pandemic, the country’s ingenuity and endeavour has been used to tackle the virus and I am delighted that the Government is committed to applying this same spirit to tackling cancer. A call for evidence has launched to inform an ambitious 10-Year Cancer Plan to make our cancer care system the best in Europe. There will be a renewed focus on innovative treatments and early diagnosis to radically improve outcomes, as well as a focus on other priorities such as boosting the cancer workforce, tackling disparities and improving prevention. I know that the Government is keen to hear from far and wide to help shape the Plan and I encourage everyone to take part. You can find out more here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/10-year-cancer-plan-call-for-evidence.
I hope that this provides reassurance that providing adequate support for a widely used and effective treatment for cancer is absolutely a priority for the Department of Health and Social Care and across the NHS.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
