Hove MP backs charity’s call for more NHS cancer staff

Hove MP Peter Kyle has given his backing to a call by a leading charity for more NHS cancer staff.

The Labour MP spoke out after he went to an event at Westminster hosted by Cancer Research UK.

The charity has started a campaign called Shoulder to Shoulder Against Cancer.

It encourages people to stand shoulder to shoulder with the NHS by calling on the government to tackle the chronic shortage of staff who diagnose and treat the disease.

He said that the NHS has been at the forefront of fighting cancer 70 years but, with a growing and ageing population, cancer services were struggling to cope with the increased number of diagnoses.

More staff were needed to keep up with the demand for life-saving tests and treatments, he said, but 1 in 10 diagnostic posts in the NHS were unfilled.

Cancer survival rates in Britain remain behind the best in Europe – and in England nearly half of all cancers are diagnosed at an advanced stage when they are harder to treat successfully.

To try to save more lives, Cancer Research UK is now urging the government to commit to training and employing more NHS staff to diagnose and treat cancer earlier.

Mr Kyle said: “More people are surviving cancer than ever before thanks to the fantastic work of the NHS staff who turn breakthroughs in research into vital tests and treatments.

“But as the health service reaches its 70th birthday, it’s facing unprecedented challenges.

“Every year, 1,300 people are diagnosed with cancer in Brighton and Hove. With this number set to rise, it’s vital that we have an NHS which is fit to deliver world-class care for all cancer patients now and in the future.

“That’s why I’m backing Cancer Research UK’s call to stand shoulder to shoulder with the NHS against cancer so that everyone has the best possible chance of surviving this devastating disease.”

To speed up and improve cancer diagnosis and treatment, the charity said that investment was needed in key professions.

These include 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: “We’re grateful to Peter Kyle for his support. It’s up to all of us to stand shoulder to shoulder with the NHS against the disease.

“Without increased investment in NHS staff, we could see the death toll from cancer rising. But by acting right now and investing in the early diagnostic workforce, we could help prevent a crisis in the future and save many more lives.

“Today, 2 in 4 people survive their cancer. It’s our ambition for this to be 3 in 4 by 2034. That’s why we hope MPs, patients and the public get behind this vitally important campaign to help make our cancer services among the best in the world.”

To take action, visit ‪cruk.org/shouldertoshoulder‬ or join the conversation on twitter #ShouldertoShoulder.