Calls have been made to return radiotherapy treatment to Kendal’s Westmorland General Hospital.
On the floor of the House of Commons this week, Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron asked the new Secretary of State for Health and Social Care James Murray to back the plans.
Currently, the nearest radiotherapy centre for people living in South Cumbria is in Preston – a daily two-three hour round trip for most patients.
Proposals to rebuild the Royal Preston Hospital would mean patients would have a longer journey as its planned site is further south.
Mr Farron told Mr Murray: “The Secretary of State mentions some achievements and the progress being made within the NHS. May I bring him back to the issue of cancer treatment?
“According to OECD figures, 53% of cancer patients should receive radiotherapy as their primary treatment.
“In the UK, the figure is only 35%. In Cumbria and Lancashire, it is only 29%.
“This is delaying treatment, delaying cures and preventing people from living long lives.
“Will he take a personal interest in correcting the commissioning so that every single part of this country has access to radiotherapy close to where people live, so that they can be cured with the most up-to-date technology?”
Mr Murray said: “He is right to point to the regional variation in different parts of the country, and to say how important it is not just to raise standards across the country but to ensure that the increase in standards is evenly distributed, so that all areas improve.
“One of my roles as Secretary of State is to ensure that we not only deliver our national cancer plan but support local areas so that they have the right services.”
