Cancer hasn't stopped because of the COVID19 pandemic and today 25 cancer charities, including Brain Tumour Research, are launching an action plan for restoring the many cancer tests and treatments that have been put on hold. Under the united banner of #onecancervoice we’re reminding the Government and NHS England that cancer is the leading cause of death in the UK. This ‘12-point plan’ is what we believe the health service in England will need to do to enable cancer services to recover from the pandemic and covers the restoration period (expected to last until August 2020) and the recovery period which expected to run from August 2020 until March 2021.
The plan acknowledges that unfortunately, charities providing vital services to people with cancer and their families, are under immense pressure to continue services whilst experiencing a reduction in income. As such, consideration should be given to the prospect that charities will have to reduce the support they provide if they cannot recover from this incredibly challenging financial situation.
As part of today’s launch a letter from Michelle Mitchell OBE Chief Executive Officer of Cancer Research UK has been delivered to Prime Minister Boris Johnson including an invitation to discuss these issues further and requests that he convenes a roundtable with leading charities and key figures across the cancer sector.
Representing the brain tumour community and, as part of the #onecancervoice, we will continue to make our case and demand that we are listened to. One of the most vital services you can provide cancer patients with is hope. Providing hope is tremendously supportive. The funding of research, the sustainability of research provides hope. We consider research to be a frontline service.
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