MP asks Prime Minister to back bid to bring radiotherapy to Westmorland General Hospital

On the floor of the House of Commons this afternoon, Cumbrian MP Tim Farron challenged the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to support the campaign for a satellite radiotherapy unit at Kendal's Westmorland General Hospital.

Speaking during Prime Minister's Questions, Tim said: "Half of us, sadly, will get cancer at some point during our lives.

"And half of those with cancer will need radiotherapy treatment.

"Yet three and a half million people in this country live in radiotherapy deserts where they don't have close access to the treatment, including my constituency, where my patients living in Westmorland have to travel three hour round trips every day to get lifesaving treatment.

"So would the Prime Minister back our proposal for a satellite radiotherapy unit at Westmorland General Hospital in Kendal and also help all the other members living in the radiotherapy deserts to bring radiotherapy close to their communities too?

Responding, Rishi Sunak said: "Well, Mr. Speaker. I know like the honourable gentleman, that access to health care in rural areas is particularly important given the distances that our rural constituents have to drive.

"That's why we remain committed to expanding the range of diagnostic services that are available through our proposal to roll out community diagnostic centres.

"And I think the record breaking capital budget that we have in the NHS at the moment is delivering that.

"And I look forward to the Department engaging with him on his plans for his local area."