MP wins new study on radiotherapy after Parliamentary debate

Local MP Tim Farron's campaign to bring a radiotherapy unit to Kendal took another step forward last week after the Government announced it will officially look into the effect long travel times have on a cancer patient's ability to recover.

During a debate led by Tim in Parliament on access to cancer treatment, health minister Jackie Doyle-Price announced that the Government will produce a report on whether travel times affect outcomes.

Speaking in the debate, Tim said that the British Medical Journal indicated back in 2016 that outcomes are worse for people who need to travel further.

Speaking after the debate, Tim said: "The thousands of us campaigning for a radiotherapy unit in Kendal should be encouraged by this new study as it will give us vital evidence to strengthen our case.

"As I pointed out to the minister, the evidence suggesting that cancer patients who have to travel very long distances may have worse outcomes already exists and the Government should commit to a radiotherapy unit for the South Lakes now.

"All the same, the promise of this study gives us cause for optimism for our campaign."

The Department for Health say that the report will be available this Spring.