Sir Gavin Williamson recently attended a parliamentary drop-in with Macmillan Cancer Support with over 170 MPs to discuss the failings of the cancer care system and to advocate for improvements to the treatment of cancer diagnosis in the NHS.
Sir Gavin joined Macmillan Cancer Support on Wednesday 13th September to call for the government to get on top of NHS waiting times which are detrimental to the effective treatment of cancer patients. Data shared by Macmillan Cancer Support demonstrates that at least 100,000 people across the UK have had their condition worsen due to a shortage in available appointments. This has been a gradual development over the last decade, escalating of course due to the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sir Gavin was especially keen to lend his voice towards addressing delays in cancer care, thinking of his constituents. The need for cuts to waiting times is particularly stark in South Staffordshire, explicit in the fact that earlier this year 426 cancer patients had to wait longer than 62 days for a referral to specialist treatment at the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust. As such, Sir Gavin has prioritised work with Macmillan Cancer Support and plans to meet again at the Conservative Party Conference next week to discuss what he can do further.
Sir Gavin said: “I will do anything I can do help Macmillan with their campaign to correct NHS waiting times for cancer patients. This is particularly relevant to my constituents in South Staffordshire, and I look forward to meeting again with representatives from the charity very soon to talk about next steps regarding campaigning government.”
