Local leaders in the Sheffield City Region have highlighted the importance of cancer care during the pandemic, in a letter to Matt Hancock.
A total of 18 MPs and local councillors asked the Health Secretary for £50m investment to improve facilities at Weston Park Cancer Centre.
According to the World Health Organisation, due to the delayed cancer diagnosis and treatment in the UK, it is estimated that the number of deaths from colorectal cancer will increase by 15 per cent and 9 per cent for breast cancer over the next five years.
Sheffield Mayor, and Barnsley Central Labour MP, Dan Jarvis said: “Weston Park Cancer Centre is a hugely significant asset for South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw and is one of only a handful of specialist facilities in the country that provides dedicated patient care.
“Each and every day they are transforming people’s lives with world-leading cancer care and research, offering personalised care and support.
“We have a shovel-ready plan that will transform the lives of cancer patients, not just in South Yorkshire, but across the country. Political leaders are united behind this plan and we now need the government to back us.”
Today, he tweeted further support for the proposals, which would see the Weston Park facility undergo significant refurbishment:
Every day @WestonParkCC supports people in South #Yorkshire & Bassetlaw with world leading cancer care & research, but it’s in need of urgent refurbishment.
Local leaders & I have asked @MattHancock to back our £50m plan to transform this vital facility. https://t.co/bigMVnX1Lm pic.twitter.com/sOIwCIoxhT— Dan Jarvis (@DanJarvisMP) March 10, 2021
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust chief executive Kirsten Major said: “Prior to the pandemic we had developed exciting plans to create a world-class cancer treatment and research centre in partnership with the University of Sheffield.
“The pandemic has made this ever more urgent as we know there will be a significant increase in cancer referrals, diagnosis and treatments over the coming years.
“A world-class facility which enables researchers to work alongside clinicians and patients to advance care at every opportunity is now a necessity especially with the new opportunities being presented by genomics and advanced imaging and treatments.
“The only thing stopping this next step in facilities for cancer care and research at the moment is having sufficient funding to make this development a reality.”
