MP meets with Health Minister to discuss Cumbria’s cancer crisis

Last night, Cumbrian MP Tim Farron and senior clinicians met with the Health Minister Helen Whately to call for urgent action to address Britain's cancer crisis.

Tim, who is the chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Radiotherapy, made the case for investment into tackling the lengthy waiting times for cancer treatment.

According to the latest NHS waiting times, more than four in 10 (43%) cancer patients had to wait more than two months to receive their first treatment.

Meanwhile in South Cumbria and North Lancashire, 35% of cancer patients were waiting more than 62 days.

Tim also encouraged the minister to look at investing in new satellite radiotherapy units across the country, including at Kendal's Westmorland General Hospital, to tackle the backlog.

Speaking after the meeting, Tim said: "I'm really grateful to the Minister for her time.

"During the pandemic, we saw ministers rightly chuck everything at trying to deal with the covid crisis in order to save lives and protect the NHS.

"We desperately need that same level of focus and urgency if we are to tackle the cancer backlog and stop people tragically and unnecessarily dying from cancer."