Access to radiotherapy
Westminster Hall debate
Grahame Morris MP
On 12 January 2022, Grahame Morris MP led a Westminster Hall debate on access to radiotherapy.
To inform his debate, he asked to hear about your experiences.
There were over 800 contributors, several of whom were quoted directly in the debate:
Thank you statement:
Watch the full debate:
You can read the transcript on Hansard
The Government's response
The Government’s Health Minister Maria Caulfield MP responded to the debate. She addressed the Government’s current policy agenda and future ambitions related to access to radiotherapy.
Watch or read her full speech for details on a range of topics including:
- The impact of the pandemic on cancer treatment
- Investment in proton beam therapy facilities
- Investment in cancer care outlined in the Autumn 2021 Spending Review
- The use of cloud-based radiotherapy evaluation technology ProKnow
- Cancer priorities identified in the NHS’s long-term plan
- Investment in the cancer and diagnostic workforce by Health Education England.
“A big thank you to everyone who took the time to tell me about your experiences of accessing radiotherapy.
"A wide range of people – mostly those who have experienced radiotherapy as a patient, but also several healthcare professionals and those with loved ones undergoing treatment – have shared stories and insights which are very useful for me to consider ahead of my debate.
"I hope you get a chance to tune in, or to read the debate transcript – links will be available from Wednesday. Do have a look at some of the other resources on this page too. Thanks again.”
Introducing the debate, he gave the following statement:
"I am delighted to have secured this important debate on access to radiotherapy.
"It will be a vital opportunity to explore staffing, funding, and equity of access across the UK.
"Your experiences of access to radiotherapy would provide invaluable context for the debate."
Your feedback
"I feel it was beneficial to be able to input into the procedure and to the see the debate take place."
"The engagement exercise was simple and clear. I was very glad to give my experience of access to radiotherapy and I hope it goes some measure towards improving access and opening up secondary care."
How it works
What is a Westminster Hall Debate?
Westminster Hall debates take place in the Grand Committee Room in the House of Commons.
They give MPs an opportunity to raise local or national issues and receive a response from a government minister.
Debates in Westminster Hall take place on ‘general debate' motions expressed in neutral terms. These motions are worded ‘That this House has considered [a specific matter]'.
How Parliament works: Westminster Hall debates.
How your contributions are shared
In these exercises, members of the public who have signed relevant petitions are invited to share their experiences and ideas.
These are passed on to the MP leading the debate, who may refer to them directly in their speeches.
Find other petitions on the Petitions website, or see more examples of public contributions being used in debates below.
What happens next?
If you shared your email in the survey, we’ll send you an update after the debate with links to watch it, read the transcript, and information about the Government's response.
House of Commons Library
The Library is a research and information service based in the UK Parliament. Its impartial analysis, statistical research and resources help MPs and their staff scrutinise legislation, develop policy, and support constituents.
Some relevant publications are listed below. See the latest research and analysis on health at commonslibrary.parliament.uk.
House of Commons Select Committees: Health and Social Care
The Committee scrutinises the work of the Department of Health and Social Care and its associated public bodies. They examine government policy, spending and administration on behalf of the electorate and the House of Commons.
Find out more about the Committee’s cross-party membership and role.
Relevant inquiries and recommendations from MPs on the Committee:
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- Search hansard.parliament.uk for debates, oral statements, oral questions and more.
- Search questions-statements.parliament.uk for written questions, answers and written statements.
- Search committees.parliament.uk for information on committees, their inquiries and publications.
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Photo credit: UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor
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