Radiotherapy UK welcomes James Murray MP to the role of Secretary of State for Health and Social Care at this crucial time for cancer patients. Whilst we recognise the recent small improvement in people receiving their first treatment within 62 days; still only 40% of patients get their radiotherapy treatment on time. This is not the sign of a country taking cancer seriously.
The National Cancer Plan set out ambitious targets but lacked the practical steps required to achieve these. The Minister must now focus on how we actually achieve 85% of patients receiving their first cancer treatment within 62 days by March 2029. We have cancer experts ready and waiting with solutions, including our Chair, Professor Pat Price.
To get people living longer and better, we need proper resources, a detailed plan to grow and support the radiotherapy workforce and strong leadership, informed by reliable data and clinical expertise. From this comes strong strategic decisions that drive meaningful progress. Without, we will continue to see the inequalities in treatment provision that we have today, and the postcode lottery of radiotherapy will continue.
Too many people have died, unnecessarily and often painfully, waiting for their treatment or because their treatment came too late, when their cancer was more advanced than it should have been. The Minister has a historic opportunity to address this and make a fundamental and lasting positive impact on the NHS. We look forward to working with them to achieve the outcomes that cancer patients deserve.
New RTUK Talks announced: Shaping our Professional River
10th June 2026