Yesterday, in a Westminster Hall debate about travel times for cancer patients, I highlighted the fantastic work of CLIC Sargent who assist families and young cancer patients in our area.
This is an issue I have first-hand experience with having survived a stage 4 cancer diagnosis in 2013. As part of my treatment, I had a month of radiotherapy at Bristol Haeomatology and Oncology Centre and in the course of travelling to hospital by bus every day I caught a nasty infection. Travel times are an even greater issue for young families and young patients receiving cancer treatment.
While I applaud the work of CLIC Sargent, I would like to see a permanent solution to these difficulties. There are currently fewer than 20 treatment centres nationally, and that makes life extremely difficult for families who are having to travel for treatment. I would like to see a review of the NHS Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme to ensure that it is supporting those families that need it.