WESTMORLAND MP RAISES CANCER TRAVEL TIME IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

Last night, on the floor of the House of Commons during a debate on cancer outcomes, Wesmorland MP Tim Farron raised the staggering wait times for cancer patients within the area.

Currently, the National Radiotherapy Advisory Group recommend that no patient should be travelling more than 45 minutes for radiotherapy treatment. Tim was keen to point out that within his constituency there is no hospital that provides radiotherapy treatment so all patients must travel in excess of 45 minutes - he is a long-time campaigner for satellite radiotherapy treatment centres. These centres would serve to ease the burden on patients and the NHS to provide radiotherapy in rural and remote communities.

Tim also raised that current wait times are staggering for cancer patients: "In my part of Cumbria 43% of people who have had a diagnosis of cancer are now waiting more than two months for their first treatment". Within North Cumbria, these statistics are even more troubling with 62% of patients waiting over two months for their first treatment.

Speaking afterwards Tim said: "It is so, so concerning that cancer care is in the state is currently in. We have to do more to help cancer patients and that starts with making it easier, and faster to get treatment."

Tim will be chairing an inquiry into the need for better radiotherapy treatment in parliament this Wednesday.