CUMBRIAN MP REAPPOINTED CHAIR OF RADIOTHERAPY GROUP

This week, local MP Tim Farron was reappointed as Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Radiotherapy.

Tim is a long-time campaigner for better cancer services and has been Chair of the Group since 2018. He is currently campaigning for a mobile radiotherapy unit at Westmorland General Hospital to serve the rural communities in the surrounding areas. Currently, patients are forced to travel to Preston to receive treatment which can result in two to three hour round trips every week for vulnerable patients.

Last week, leading oncologist at Imperial College London and Chair of the charity Radiotherapy UK, Professor Pat Price, has publicly backed Tim's campaign for the satellite radiotherapy unit in Kendal. Professor Price said on the campaign: "Radiotherapy is needed in 50% of cancer patients and is involved in 4 in 10 cancer cures. All patients should have access to the radiotherapy they deserve.

"Too many people in the South Lakes at the moment have to travel far too far to get their radiotherapy. A satellite centre at Westmorland General will transform cancer treatment.

"Tim Farron has worked tirelessly for over a decade to make this happen. He has our full support. Ministers must listen and help make this happen."

Speaking this morning, Tim said on his re-election: "I am delighted to have been re-elected as Chair. The cancer crisis is proving what this Group has been saying for some time now, the Government must do more to invest in better cancer services to tackle the backlog and crucially, save lives."

Former Cabinet Minister Theresa Villiers has been elected for the first time to the group as Vice Chair and the Group this week launched the results of their inquiry into the state of radiotherapy and the cancer crisis.