Asked by: Baroness Thomas of Winchester (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they will give to recent research which has shown that a blood test can detect ovarian cancer.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department is committed to improving cancer care for patients across England, including those with ovarian cancer.
As the chances of survival are higher if a cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, early diagnosis is a key priority for the Government. Several tests are currently used to detect ovarian cancer including ultrasound scans, biopsies and blood tests.
The forthcoming National Cancer Plan, which will complement the 10-Year Health Plan, will include further details on how we will improve outcomes for all cancer patients including those with ovarian cancer. In addition to speeding up diagnosis and treatment it will aim to ensure that patients have access to the latest treatments and technology and to clinical and will ultimately bring this country’s cancer survival rates back up to the standards of the best in the world. The Department ran a Call for Evidence to inform the development of the national cancer plan, including a question on priorities for cancer research. Over 11,000 responses were received, and these responses have been analysed to prioritise recommendations in the Plan.
The Government recognises that investment is needed across the research pathway, from cellular biology and drug discovery through to translation and application. At the start of that pathway, the Government funds the Medical Research Council through UK Research and Innovation, which in turn works closely with the National Institute for Health and Care Research to identify emerging, viable prospects for translational research.
Alongside, the Government is supporting the Private Members Bill on rare cancers tabled by the Hon. Member for Edinburgh South West (Scott Arthur MP). In developing the bill, a wide range of research and evidence has been considered. The bill will make it easier for clinical trials and research into rare cancers, such as ovarian cancer, to take place in England by ensuring the patient population can be easily contacted by researchers.
More generally, across the field of cancer research, the Department works with relevant bodies to consider the impact of emerging research and associated outcomes, where possible and appropriate. As the question does not name the specific research programme, it is not possible to provide any further detail about the Department’s or associated bodies’ consideration to the research to which the question refers.
Asked by: Baroness Thomas of Winchester (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to expedite Access to Work applications from disabled people.
Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
We are committed to reducing waiting times for claims to the Access to Work Scheme. We have streamlined delivery practices and have increased the number of staff processing claims. We also prioritise customers starting a job in four weeks.
Despite deploying additional staff and streamlining our procedures, the number of Access to Work applications waiting to be processed is continuing to grow.
That’s why, as set out in the Pathways to Work Green Paper, we consulted on the future of Access to Work and how to improve the programme to help more disabled people into work and support employers.
Reforms are essential to ensure a better service for customers, to help disabled people start and stay in work, to provide clarity in what support should be provided and to ensure we are providing value for money for the taxpayer.
We will be reviewing all aspects of the Scheme now that the consultation has closed. We are continuing to work closely with stakeholders, and in particular disabled people and their representatives, on all aspects of our proposals.