UK head and neck cancer charity the Get A-Head Charitable Trust today welcomed Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ reaffirmed commitment to improving the NHS, cutting patient waiting times and investment in technology and health centres.
However, Danni Heath, director of the Birmingham-founded trust which supports people with head and neck diseases, particularly cancer, warned that despite ongoing investment there was an extremely long way to go before the NHS would stand a chance of keeping pace with rising demand for services.
She said: “Earlier this month Cancer Research reported that in England the NHS had missed three of its key cancer waiting time standards. A separate report by the BBC revealed the scale of the challenge with almost all hospital trusts failing to meet waiting time targets for cancer care with only three out of 121 responding to patients quickly enough.
“The stark reality of this situation is that people’s lives are at risk.
“So, whilst the Government has already put forward its bold vision for the future of healthcare in its 10-Year Health Plan and we are hearing all the right noises from the Chancellor in wanting to build an NHS that’s there for when people need it, we need to see the funding and promises translated into real results within NHS Trusts.
“We need to see these waiting times significantly slashed. We need faster diagnosis, faster treatment and we need the Government to reaffirm its commitment by urgently publishing the long-overdue National Cancer Plan.
“We need joined up thinking, clear implementation plans and adequate funding to achieve any lasting long-term change.”
Get A-Head is a charity dedicated to helping those affected by head and neck diseases particularly cancer through funding equipment, research and education.
During the last three decades, it has raised more than £10million to support people to live better lives.
