Deepings MP stands against cancer at party conference
MP John Hayes has backed an appeal from Cancer Research UK for more NHS staff to deliver the life-saving cancer tests and treatments people need.
The South Holland and The Deepings MP met with campaigners from the charity during the Conservative Party Conference to hear about the “Shoulder to Shoulder Against Cancer” campaign.
It calls for everyone to stand with the NHS and urge the UK Government to tackle the chronic shortage of staff who diagnose and treat the disease.
Every year, 930 people are diagnosed with cancer in South Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group’s area and as the population grows and ages, that number is only set to rise.
More staff are urgently needed to keep up with the demand for life-saving tests and treatments, yet already one in 10 NHS diagnostic posts are unfilled.
Speaking after the meeting, John Hayes said: “After the past 70 years of fantastic work from the NHS, it is vital to ensure it is fit to face the challenges of the decades to come.
“Many of my constituents have been affected by cancer in some way, and one in two of us will be diagnosed in our lifetimes.
“We all want a world-class service where people are given every opportunity to survive this devastating disease, for it to be diagnosed early and for patients to receive the best treatment possible.
“That’s why I’m backing Cancer Research UK’s call to stand shoulder to shoulder with the NHS against cancer.”
The UK Government is set to publish its long-term plan for the NHS later this year, which will also include a roadmap for the NHS workforce over the next decade.
To speed up and improve cancer diagnosis and treatment, investment is needed in key professions, including radiographers and radiologists who carry out and interpret scans such as MRIs, endoscopists who look inside the body by inserting a tiny camera and pathologists who look for abnormal cells, as well as oncologists (cancer specialists), nurses and surgeons.
Shaun Walsh, Head of Public Affairs and Campaigns at Cancer Research UK, said: “Over 170 UK parliamentarians from across the political spectrum are already backing the Shoulder to Shoulder campaign, and we’re grateful to John Hayes CBE MP for his support.
“This is a critical opportunity for cancer care in the UK. By 2035, more than 500,000 people are expected to be diagnosed with cancer every year across the UK, an increase of more than 150,000 people on 2015 levels.
“By acting now and investing in the early diagnosis and treatments workforce, so many more lives could be saved.
“By 2034, our ambition is for three in four people to survive their cancer, but advances in technology and treatment mean nothing if we don’t have the staff to deliver them.
“That’s why the support of MP’s like John Hayes is so vitally important to help make the UK’s cancer services the best in the world.”
For more information visit cruk.org/shouldertoshoulder or join the conversation on twitter #ShouldertoShoulder.
