01 Aug 2022 Policy

One Cancer Voice writes to Sajid Javid ahead of 10-Year Cancer Plan

Today, with over 50 cancer charities, we wrote to the Secretary of State for Health & Social Care, Sajid Javid, to set out our expectation for next month’s 10-Year Cancer Plan.

The 10-Year Cancer Plan must include robust, fully costed and funded plans to deliver on its ambitions, and set out how it will address shortages in workforce and equipment – key hurdles that have hindered previous commitments and strategies.

We are writing alongside other charities including Blood Cancer UK, Cancer Research UK and Leukaemia Care, to urge Sajid Javid to ensure the plan meets the ten essential tests we set out in our submission as being ‘essential to deliver on your ambition of having the best cancer care in Europe.’

The key tests to which the whole cancer community will hold this 10-Year Cancer Plan include, ensuring the plan is fully planned, costed and funded, that there are no more shortages in the cancer workforce, and that it matches ambition with accountability.

This 10-Year Cancer Plan comes at a very important time for those affected by cancer in England, with the continued ‘devastating impact of the pandemic on cancer services’ – particularly on waiting times for care.

New survey data from Cancer Research UK shows that 3 in 4 (75%) adults in the UK don’t think the NHS has enough staff or equipment to deal with cancer. Rising cancer incidence over the 10 years of the Plan indicates the challenge ‘is only set to grow – meaning tangible, decisive action is needed now.’

We urge Sajid Javid to ensure the 10-Year Cancer Plan meets these tests, if it is to have the full support, belief and backing of the wider cancer community.

Read the full letter.