PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Cancer: Health Services (30 June 2020)

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate his Department has made of the number of patients affected by the backlogs in cancer (a) screening, (b) diagnostic tests and (c) other treatments that have accrued as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

Asked by:
Christian Wakeford (Labour)

The UK National Screening Committee is undertaking work to estimate the impact of temporary suspension to screening programmes, including cancer screening. This work is currently in its early stages and the results will be reported as soon they are available.

The National Health Service has continued to provide urgent and emergency services throughout the outbreak and has run the ‘Open for Business’ media campaign to encourage people with potentially serious health issues, such as cancer, to continue to seek medical advice and attend essential appointments. Cancer Alliances and Cancer Hubs have identified (COVID-19 free) surgical and diagnostic capacity to meet demand for cancer services and treatments at this time.

Answered by:
Jo Churchill (Conservative)
17 July 2020