MP to lead debate in Parliament on access to cancer treatment during COVID-19 crisis
Next Wednesday (December 2nd), South Lakes MP and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Radiotherapy, Tim Farron will lead a Westminster Hall debate on access to cancer diagnosis and treatment during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The pandemic has led to huge delays to cancer services, with the Health Care Research Hub for Cancer warning that up to 35,000 lives could be lost as a result.
Tim will use the debate to call for the Government to provide urgent investment into diagnostics and treatment, including funding for extra staffing and new satellite cancer centres including at the Westmorland General Hospital in Kendal.
A petition calling for a boost to cancer services to save lives has received more than 370,000 signatures.
Speaking ahead of the debate, Tim said: "For the last eight months, cancer patients and their loved ones have been through hell.
"It's estimated that it could take five years for the backlog to clear - that's not good enough.
"The Government has rightly moved heaven and earth to save lives from COVID, it's time they did the same for cancer patients.
"We cannot let cancer become the forgotten 'c' of this crisis."