Department of Health and Social Care written question – answered at on 16 March 2026.
James McMurdock
Independent, South Basildon and East Thurrock
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of trends in the level of variations in cancer treatment waiting times between NHS trusts.
Sharon Hodgson
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Health and Social Care
The Department recognises that treatment waiting times vary significantly across the country, and we are determined to change this. We will tackle this variation head on by streamlining access to cutting-edge treatments and increasing the cancer workforce in trusts that most need it, including in rural and coastal areas.
The recently published National Cancer Plan sets out how we will end the postcode lottery for cancer care and improve outcomes for thousands of patients. It will shift healthcare from hospitals to the community and ensure that all cancer patients, regardless of where they live, have timely access to high-quality, specialist cancer services.
National Health Service regions and Cancer Alliances will jointly identify underperforming trusts and provide intensive support including leadership Intervention, peer-to-peer mentoring, seconding senior managers from stronger trusts, and access to £200 million of ringfenced cancer funding in 2026/27 to improve cancer pathway performance and reduce delays.
Yes1 person thinks so
No0 people think not
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