MP to chair national roundtable meeting to boost access to radiotherapy

South Lakes MP Tim Farron will chair a national meeting next week to discuss how to improve access to cancer services across the country.

Attending the meeting, which takes place in Westminster next Wednesday, will be leading professionals including clinicians, scientists and cancer treatment manufacturers.

Tim will be chairing the meeting in his capacity as a patron of the leading cancer charity Action Radiotherapy.

Last year, Tim hosted a radiotherapy reception in Parliament to highlight the need for the treatment to receive continued investment from Government and NHS England.

Access to radiotherapy needs to be improved in places like South Cumbria where cancer patients have to make a journey of over 45 minutes to reach their nearest radiotherapy unit.

Tim said: "It's a sad fact that cancer affects us all.

"According to Cancer Research UK, one in two of us will be diagnosed with cancer at some point during our lifetime.

"So, it's absolutely essential that everyone has decent access to life-saving treatment such as radiotherapy.

"Here in the South Lakes far too many people are having to make a gruelling 2 to 3-hour round trip to Preston for five days a week, for weeks on end to receive treatment.

"I look forward to discussing with leading professionals how we make life easier for cancer patients up and down this country to access this vital care."