MP backs calls for vital boost to cancer service
Charity wants to end chronic shortage of staff
Politician Gavin Newlands is backing a life-saving appeal from Cancer Research UK for more NHS cancer staff.
The MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North attended a special event in Westminster last week to launch the charity’s new campaign, Shoulder to Shoulder Against Cancer.
This encourages everyone to stand shoulder to shoulder with the NHS by calling on the UK Government to tackle the chronic shortage of staff who diagnose and treat the disease.
For 70 years, the National Health Service has been at the forefront of fighting cancer but, with a growing and ageing population, cancer services are struggling to cope with the increased number of diagnoses.
This means more staff are urgently needed to keep up with the demand for life-saving tests and treatments, yet already one-in-ten diagnostic posts are unfilled.
In the UK, cancer survival rates are still lagging behind the best in Europe and in Scotland many cancers are diagnosed at an advanced stage, when they are harder to treat successfully.
To help save more lives, Cancer Research UK is now urging the UK Government to commit to training and employing more NHS staff to diagnose and treat cancer earlier.
Mr Newlands 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, 6,800 people are diagnosed with cancer in Paisley and Renfrewshire North. 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, 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, from Cancer Research UK, said: “We’re grateful to Gavin Newlands MP 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, two in four people survive their cancer. It’s our ambition for this to be three in four 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