One Cancer Voice – Petition to the Prime Minister to demand the UK Government keeps its commitment to transform cancer care and services.
In a speech at the Francis Crick Institute on World Cancer Day 2022 (4 February), the then Health and Social Care Secretary, Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP, declared ‘a war on cancer’ and launched a call for evidence to underpin an ambitious 10-Year Cancer Plan for England.
The call for evidence was the beginning of the process to inform the Government’s 10-Year Cancer Plan, a new vision for how the UK will lead the world in cancer care. It promised to take a long-term look at how we harness innovation and what we want the patient experience to look like in 2032, with ambitious plans for action in several different areas. Over 5,000 people and organisations including Neuroendocrine Cancer UK responded to that consultation.
On 24 January 2023, the Government announced that it will be launching a 5-year ‘Major Conditions Strategy’ – which means they will no longer be publishing a 10-Year Cancer Plan. We are concerned that this reflects a dilution of the ambition and shifts focus away from some of the specifics asks, issues and opportunities for cancer services and for people affected by cancer.
That’s why, collectively, One Cancer Voice, has come together, on behalf of people affected by cancer, to hold the Government to account and ensure it does not retreat on its ambition to transform cancer care and services for patients now and in the future. We want the Prime Minister to commit to taking action to dramatically improve the experience and outcomes of people affected by cancer.
We are calling on the UK Government to put the needs of cancer patients first:
- To make sure the cancer elements of the upcoming Major Conditions Strategy are ambitious, fully funded and inclusive of the voices and evidence from the cancer community.
- To commit to a longer-term strategy for cancer which focusses on transforming cancer research, diagnosis, treatment, and patient experience.
Today, 7 February, we launch a petition that will be live for 4 weeks. It will be handed in to the Prime Minister at No.10 Downing Street on March 22. The petition, hosted by Cancer Research UK, is being supported and shared by over 60 cancer charities, uniting together as One Cancer Voice.
Sign the Petition here
Read the petition letter signed by One Cancer Voice charities and supporters addressed to the Prime Minister.
