Gower MP to continue cancer role in Parliament
GOWER MP Tonia Antoniazzi has been re-elected chair of the All-party Parliamentary Group on Cancer.
The All-party Parliamentary Group on Cancer (APPGC) aims to be the voice in Parliament of cancer patients and their families, and campaigns on multiple issues, including early diagnosis, workforce, rarer cancers and patient experience.
Ms Antoniazzi was first elected to this position at the beginning of last year.
The past 12 months have been unprecedented for cancer care, and the APPGC has been incredibly busy.
Some of the activities she has done in her role as chair include:
■ Met virtually with the Secretary of State, Matt Hancock MP, to discuss the backlog and recovery of services.
■ Met with the Cancer Minister, Jo Churchill MP, to meet with the APPGC and the chairs of the cancer APPGS in January of this year to discuss the National Cancer Recovery Plan.
■ Supported the work of various charities such as Macmillan Cancer Support, Catch Up with Cancer, Cancer Research UK, Clic Sargent, Jo’s Trust, Breast Cancer Now, Teenage Cancer Trust, Brain Tumour Research and Pancreatic Cancer UK.
■ She has highlighted cancer 13 times in Parliament – in the House of Commons and Westminster Hall.
On her re-election, Ms Antoniazzi said: “I am thrilled to be able to continue in my role as chair of the APPG on cancer.
“This past year has had a devastating impact on people with cancer and the scale of the crisis for cancer services cannot be understated. I’m proud of the APPGC’S track record over the past 12 months, in keeping cancer on the agenda in Parliament.
“There is still a lot of work for the APPGC to do. This year we will be focussing on three main priorities: Ensure the Government addresses the backlog in cancer diagnosis, care and treatment; campaign for a funded workforce plan to deliver the ambitions in the NHS long-term plan; and call attention to the financial cost of cancer.
“As chair of the APPGC I will do everything I can to be a powerful voice in Parliament for the cancer community and the organisations that support them. We will not let cancer be forgotten during the pandemic and beyond.”