Liver Cancer UK, part of Liver UK, has joined more than 70 cancer charities in backing a new law to improve cancer care. The aim is to make progress more transparent, hold the Government accountable and improve outcomes for people affected by cancer. Introduced by Clive Jones MP, the Cancer (Reporting and Strategy) Bill will receive its Second Reading in Parliament on 13th November.
The Bill would require the Government to report annually on progress against cancer targets and maintain a 10-year cancer strategy. These measures would help turn commitments to improve cancer care into real change for patients.
For people affected by liver cancer, that accountability is urgently needed.
Liver cancer is one of the fastest-rising causes of cancer death in the UK. Too many people are still diagnosed late, when treatment options are limited. We want that to change.
Vaness Hebditch, Director of Communications and Policy, said: “We’re backing the One Cancer Voice call for the Secretary of State to support Clive Jones MP’s Cancer Bill. The Bill will ensure the government is accountable to the ambitions of the National Cancer Plan, meaning better outcomes for patients across the UK.”
The Government’s National Cancer Plan for England promises to improve cancer care. The Bill would help hold the Government accountable for delivering on those promises by requiring it to report to Parliament every year on:
- how quickly people are diagnosed and start treatment
- how many people are surviving cancer
- how many people take up screening
- how much is being invested in research
The reports would show figures broken down by cancer type and area, helping us see where care is improving and where people are being left behind. Alongside this annual reporting, the requirement to maintain a 10-year cancer strategy would help hold this and future governments accountable for improvements in care.
Where you live and what type of cancer you have shouldn’t decide how quickly you’re diagnosed or how well you’re treated. Clear, public reporting would help reveal gaps in early diagnosis, care for people at risk, and patient experience. It would also put pressure on the Government to act.
Liver UK is proud to support One Cancer Voice’s letter urging the Secretary of State to back Clive Jones MP’s Private Member’s Bill.
Read the letter from One Cancer Voice here.
Together we can turn the tide against liver disease.