Sarah Champion MP Calls for Government to Act to Address Regional Inequality in Life-Saving Radiotherapy Treatment

Sarah Champion has called on the Government to urgently act to address significant regional inequality in the delivery of radiotherapy treatment.

Sarah’s intervention follows the publication of data by the UK Radiotherapy Board which shows that an average of 11% of patients across England waited more than 31-days to start radiotherapy treatment, far in excess of the NHS’ target of fewer than 4%. This target has not been met since July 2021.[i]

The data further revealed that in North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, 19% waited more than 31 days. This stands in stark contrast to figures for the South East, where just 3% waited in excess of 31 days.

Sarah has written to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Victoria Atkins, urging the Government to act to address this “shocking inequality.”

Commenting on the figures, Sarah said:

“Delays in starting radiotherapy for cancer patients can mean the difference between life and death. But the Conservative Government has overseen an alarming decline in delivery of urgent care, with targets having been missed for almost three years’

‘These delays are bad enough. But I am shocked that patients in Rotherham face even longer delays, with almost one-in-five patients waiting more than 31 days to start their treatment.’

‘Cancer patients in Rotherham deserve to be able to access the same standard of care as their counterparts elsewhere in England. This appalling inequality is completely unacceptable, and I will be doing all that I can to fight for the level of service they deserve.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

[i] The UK Radiotherapy Board’s briefing is available at: https://www.rcr.ac.uk/media/3robzl4o/rcr-policy_radiotherapy-policy-briefing_may-2024.pdf

Sarah’s letter is available HERE