"If other countries can invest in radiotherapy services then so can we, and so we should. Doing so will help reduce the hideous waiting lists for treatments, resource our skilled workforce, and lead to better outcomes for patients.
"That’s good news for cancer patients and their families, and it makes economic sense to treat people sooner, and closer to home. We have the answers, now let’s get on with the solutions and give the frontline staff the tools they need to deliver and work towards world-class radiotherapy services for every UK patient."
Parliamentarians from across the political spectrum gathered at Westminster last week for a special radiotherapy event to mark the launch of a new report.
Hosted by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Radiotherapy and Radiotherapy UK’s #CatchUpWithCancerCampaign, the event shared an analysis of the UK’s radiotherapy services against comparable countries.
Professor Pat Price spoke at the event, praising the UK’s skilled radiotherapy frontline staff and calling for investment in the second most effective cancer treatment: after the report identified huge weaknesses in UK services caused by underfunding, lack of strategic planning, an overburdened workforce and record waiting times.
Chair of the APPGRT, Tim Farron MP, Daisy Cooper MP, vice-chair Greg Wise MP, Baroness Golding, Selaine Saxby MP, vice chair Graeme Morris MP and Rachael Maskell MP met with industry representatives and clinicians from the sector, who talked about the effective use of radiotherapy in other countries; and how the treatment could boost cancer treatment performance in the UK.
Radiotherapy UK and the #CatchUpWithCancer campaign continue to urge decision-makers to consider radiotherapy as a proven tool to reduce waiting times and create better outcomes for patients and their families.
