Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron has written to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, asking for his support in the long-running campaign to bring radiotherapy treatment to Westmorland General Hospital in Kendal.
New data from the NHS shows that in August, nearly one in three patients in Morecambe Bay who received their first cancer treatment had waited over two months.
Research published in the British Medical Journal found that a four-week delay in starting cancer treatment can increase the risk of death by around 10%, Mr Farron said.
The number of people living with cancer in South Cumbria actually receiving radiotherapy treatment was concerning, he added.
According to the OECD, 53% of all cancer patients should have radiotherapy treatment. In South Cumbria and Lancashire, that figure is 29% – the lowest of anywhere in the country.
Mr Farron recently ran an event in Parliament with the charity Radiotherapy UK which gathered the support of more than 65 MPs to campaign for ending delays to cancer treatment.
Writing to the Health Secretary, Mr Farron said: “Bringing treatment closer to home is absolutely essential in tackling these delays.
“A satellite radiotherapy unit at Westmorland General Hospital in Kendal would significantly reduce travel times for patients in the South Lakes, in Furness, and in parts of Eden who have to make the long journey either down to Preston or up to Carlisle for days on end to receive life-saving care.
“However, time and time again, this solution has been blocked by NHS England – an organisation that you will very shortly be abolishing. The money saved from this must be used on improving access to health services – such as bringing radiotherapy to Kendal – rather than being wasted on golden goodbyes to bureaucrats.
“Now that you have given yourself the ability to directly affect health services in areas like ours, you must listen to local people and use those powers for good.
“Please will you meet with me to discuss how we can take forward this vital project to save lives in Cumbria?”
