Asked by: Lord Crisp (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government how survival rates for brain cancer in the United Kingdom compare with those of other countries of equivalent wealth.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Reducing the number of lives lost to cancer is a key aim of the National Cancer Plan for England, which will be published later this year. The plan will include further details on how the Government will improve outcomes for cancer patients, including brain cancer patients, as well as speeding up diagnosis and treatment, ensuring patients have access to the latest treatments and technology, and ultimately driving up this country’s cancer survival rates.
The Department is committed to working closely with partners and patient groups to shape the long-term vision for cancer. On 4 February 2025, the Department launched a call for evidence for the National Cancer Plan which closed on 29 April. We have received over 11,000 responses from individuals, professionals, and organisations who have shared their views on how we can do more to achieve our ambition, including several brain cancer charities. The call for evidence gave an opportunity to all partners to shape the National Cancer Plan. These submissions are being used to inform our plan to improve cancer care.
The Department recognises that cancer patients, including those with brain tumours, are often waiting too long for referral and treatment. As the first step to ensuring early diagnosis and treatment, NHS England has delivered an extra 40,000 operations, scans, and appointments each week since the start of this administration.
The Department is supporting NHS England in implementing genomic testing, including whole genome sequencing (WGS), in the National Health Service, provided through the NHS Genomic Medicine Service, and delivered by a national genomic testing network of seven NHS Genomic Laboratory Hubs (GLHs). The NHS GLHs deliver testing as directed by the National Genomic Test Directory, which includes tests for over 200 cancer clinical indications, including WGS tests for a range of brain tumours. The NHS now offers all children and young people with cancer, and adults with certain cancers including brain cancer, whole genome sequencing to enable more comprehensive and precise diagnosis, and access to more personalised treatments.
The Department recognises that there are currently limited treatment options available for people who have been diagnosed with brain tumours, and the significant impact that rarer forms of cancer can have on patients, carers, and their families. A new national Brain Tumour Research Consortium was established in December 2024 to bring together researchers from a range of different disciplines and institutions with the aim of driving scientific advancements in how to prevent, detect, manage, and treat cancers in adults and children. The work being undertaken by the consortium aims to ensure that patients have access to the latest treatments and technology and to clinical trials. This will make a significant contribution to bringing the United Kingdom’s cancer survival rates back up to the standards of the best in the world. The following table shows brain cancer five-year survival percentages for adults, those aged 15 to 99 years old, diagnosed from 2010 to 2014, by G7 country:
Country | Cancer site | Five-year net survival |
Japan | Brain (adults) | 46.3% |
USA | Brain (adults) | 36.5% |
Canada | Brain (adults) | 29.9% |
Germany | Brain (adults) | 29.6% |
Italy | Brain (adults) | 28.8% |
France | Brain (adults) | 27.2% |
UK | Brain (adults) | 26.3% |
Source: CONCORD-3, CONCORD Programme, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
This data will be updated with the publication of CONCORD-4, which is currently in progress.
Asked by: Lord Crisp (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to meet Brain Cancer Justice.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Reducing the number of lives lost to cancer is a key aim of the National Cancer Plan for England, which will be published later this year. The plan will include further details on how the Government will improve outcomes for cancer patients, including brain cancer patients, as well as speeding up diagnosis and treatment, ensuring patients have access to the latest treatments and technology, and ultimately driving up this country’s cancer survival rates.
The Department is committed to working closely with partners and patient groups to shape the long-term vision for cancer. On 4 February 2025, the Department launched a call for evidence for the National Cancer Plan which closed on 29 April. We have received over 11,000 responses from individuals, professionals, and organisations who have shared their views on how we can do more to achieve our ambition, including several brain cancer charities. The call for evidence gave an opportunity to all partners to shape the National Cancer Plan. These submissions are being used to inform our plan to improve cancer care.
The Department recognises that cancer patients, including those with brain tumours, are often waiting too long for referral and treatment. As the first step to ensuring early diagnosis and treatment, NHS England has delivered an extra 40,000 operations, scans, and appointments each week since the start of this administration.
The Department is supporting NHS England in implementing genomic testing, including whole genome sequencing (WGS), in the National Health Service, provided through the NHS Genomic Medicine Service, and delivered by a national genomic testing network of seven NHS Genomic Laboratory Hubs (GLHs). The NHS GLHs deliver testing as directed by the National Genomic Test Directory, which includes tests for over 200 cancer clinical indications, including WGS tests for a range of brain tumours. The NHS now offers all children and young people with cancer, and adults with certain cancers including brain cancer, whole genome sequencing to enable more comprehensive and precise diagnosis, and access to more personalised treatments.
The Department recognises that there are currently limited treatment options available for people who have been diagnosed with brain tumours, and the significant impact that rarer forms of cancer can have on patients, carers, and their families. A new national Brain Tumour Research Consortium was established in December 2024 to bring together researchers from a range of different disciplines and institutions with the aim of driving scientific advancements in how to prevent, detect, manage, and treat cancers in adults and children. The work being undertaken by the consortium aims to ensure that patients have access to the latest treatments and technology and to clinical trials. This will make a significant contribution to bringing the United Kingdom’s cancer survival rates back up to the standards of the best in the world. The following table shows brain cancer five-year survival percentages for adults, those aged 15 to 99 years old, diagnosed from 2010 to 2014, by G7 country:
Country | Cancer site | Five-year net survival |
Japan | Brain (adults) | 46.3% |
USA | Brain (adults) | 36.5% |
Canada | Brain (adults) | 29.9% |
Germany | Brain (adults) | 29.6% |
Italy | Brain (adults) | 28.8% |
France | Brain (adults) | 27.2% |
UK | Brain (adults) | 26.3% |
Source: CONCORD-3, CONCORD Programme, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
This data will be updated with the publication of CONCORD-4, which is currently in progress.
Asked by: Lord Crisp (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to improve survival rates from brain cancers.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Reducing the number of lives lost to cancer is a key aim of the National Cancer Plan for England, which will be published later this year. The plan will include further details on how the Government will improve outcomes for cancer patients, including brain cancer patients, as well as speeding up diagnosis and treatment, ensuring patients have access to the latest treatments and technology, and ultimately driving up this country’s cancer survival rates.
The Department is committed to working closely with partners and patient groups to shape the long-term vision for cancer. On 4 February 2025, the Department launched a call for evidence for the National Cancer Plan which closed on 29 April. We have received over 11,000 responses from individuals, professionals, and organisations who have shared their views on how we can do more to achieve our ambition, including several brain cancer charities. The call for evidence gave an opportunity to all partners to shape the National Cancer Plan. These submissions are being used to inform our plan to improve cancer care.
The Department recognises that cancer patients, including those with brain tumours, are often waiting too long for referral and treatment. As the first step to ensuring early diagnosis and treatment, NHS England has delivered an extra 40,000 operations, scans, and appointments each week since the start of this administration.
The Department is supporting NHS England in implementing genomic testing, including whole genome sequencing (WGS), in the National Health Service, provided through the NHS Genomic Medicine Service, and delivered by a national genomic testing network of seven NHS Genomic Laboratory Hubs (GLHs). The NHS GLHs deliver testing as directed by the National Genomic Test Directory, which includes tests for over 200 cancer clinical indications, including WGS tests for a range of brain tumours. The NHS now offers all children and young people with cancer, and adults with certain cancers including brain cancer, whole genome sequencing to enable more comprehensive and precise diagnosis, and access to more personalised treatments.
The Department recognises that there are currently limited treatment options available for people who have been diagnosed with brain tumours, and the significant impact that rarer forms of cancer can have on patients, carers, and their families. A new national Brain Tumour Research Consortium was established in December 2024 to bring together researchers from a range of different disciplines and institutions with the aim of driving scientific advancements in how to prevent, detect, manage, and treat cancers in adults and children. The work being undertaken by the consortium aims to ensure that patients have access to the latest treatments and technology and to clinical trials. This will make a significant contribution to bringing the United Kingdom’s cancer survival rates back up to the standards of the best in the world. The following table shows brain cancer five-year survival percentages for adults, those aged 15 to 99 years old, diagnosed from 2010 to 2014, by G7 country:
Country | Cancer site | Five-year net survival |
Japan | Brain (adults) | 46.3% |
USA | Brain (adults) | 36.5% |
Canada | Brain (adults) | 29.9% |
Germany | Brain (adults) | 29.6% |
Italy | Brain (adults) | 28.8% |
France | Brain (adults) | 27.2% |
UK | Brain (adults) | 26.3% |
Source: CONCORD-3, CONCORD Programme, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
This data will be updated with the publication of CONCORD-4, which is currently in progress.
Asked by: Lord Crisp (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the proposed World Health Organization resolution to make traumatic brain injury a notifiable and chronic condition worldwide and whether they have any plans to support the resolution at the 79th World Health Assembly.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Formal notification and negotiation of proposed resolutions at the World Health Organization (WHO) typically begin in the autumn, including any potential resolution on making traumatic brain injury a notifiable and chronic condition. The United Kingdom gives due consideration to all proposed WHO resolutions and will engage in all resolution negotiations ahead of any adoption at the World Health Assembly, which takes place in May each year. All resolutions to be considered by the World Health Assembly would also be subject to the WHO's budget allocation process.
The UK is committed to addressing traumatic brain injury and we intend to develop an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Action or Delivery Plan, with input from NHS England and other Government departments, to be published in the autumn of this year. The forthcoming 10-Year Health Plan will provide the overarching plan for the future of the National Health Service, and a subsequent ABI Plan would then focus on specific actions and deliverables for ABI against the backdrop of the 10-Year Health Plan. This will ensure a coherent, targeted approach. The new ABI Action Plan will be concise, action-oriented, and accountable, in order to drive real change for people with ABI.
Asked by: Lord Crisp (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what was the cost in NHS and social services staff time and resources in administering NHS Continuing Healthcare, and undertaking the necessary patient assessments, in each of the past two financial years.
Answered by Lord Markham - Shadow Minister (Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Department does not collect data on the cost of administering NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) or undertaking CHC assessments.
Asked by: Lord Crisp (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what was the financial value of support provided to patients through NHS Continuing Healthcare scheme in each of the past two financial years.
Answered by Lord Markham - Shadow Minister (Science, Innovation and Technology)
The cost of NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) to NHS England was £4.42 billion in 2022/23 and £4.27 billion in 2021/22. This includes Standard and Fast Track CHC, and the personal health budgets relating to these costs. These figures do not include costs for joint funded packages of care, children’s continuing care, assessments and support, or any other CHC related costs.
Asked by: Lord Crisp (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many people applied for assistance through NHS Continuing Healthcare in each of the past two financial years.
Answered by Lord Markham - Shadow Minister (Science, Innovation and Technology)
Standard NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) is a package of National Health Service funded ongoing care for adults with the highest levels of complex, intense or unpredictable needs, who have been assessed as having a primary health need. Fast Track CHC is for adults who have a primary health need resulting from a rapidly deteriorating condition, who are nearing the end of their life. This aims to put an appropriate care and support package in place as soon as possible. The following table shows the number of new referrals for both Standard and Fast Track CHC, and the percentage of those found eligible, for each quarter over the last two financial years in England:
Period | Standard CHC | Fast Track | Standard CHC | Fast Track | |
2022/23 | Q4 | 16,578 | 28,797 | 16% | 96% |
Q3 | 15,383 | 27,727 | 18% | 95% | |
Q2 | 15,062 | 26,683 | 17% | 95% | |
Q1 | 15,498 | 25,936 | 18% | 96% | |
2021/22 | Q4 | 14,653 | 25,910 | 17% | 95% |
Q3 | 14,636 | 25,793 | 17% | 95% | |
Q2 | 15,178 | 25,746 | 20% | 96% | |
Q1 | 16,001 | 24,664 | 19% | 96% | |
Note: the number of new referrals does not include referrals for assessments of previously unassessed periods of care.
Asked by: Lord Crisp (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what criteria they use to assess the success of NHS Continuing Healthcare.
Answered by Lord Markham - Shadow Minister (Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Department is responsible for NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) policy and legislation, which includes the National Framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare and NHS-funded Nursing Care. We work with partners to ensure that the core principles and values of CHC are upheld as set out in the framework, a copy of which is attached.
Operational delivery of CHC is the responsibility of integrated care boards (ICBs) with oversight from NHS England. NHS England holds ICBs accountable, engages with them to ensure that they discharge their functions, and monitors performance through well-established assurance mechanisms.
Asked by: Lord Crisp (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what percentage of people who applied for assistance through NHS Continuing Healthcare in each of the past two financial years were successful in their application.
Answered by Lord Markham - Shadow Minister (Science, Innovation and Technology)
Standard NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) is a package of National Health Service funded ongoing care for adults with the highest levels of complex, intense or unpredictable needs, who have been assessed as having a primary health need. Fast Track CHC is for adults who have a primary health need resulting from a rapidly deteriorating condition, who are nearing the end of their life. This aims to put an appropriate care and support package in place as soon as possible. The following table shows the number of new referrals for both Standard and Fast Track CHC, and the percentage of those found eligible, for each quarter over the last two financial years in England:
Period | Standard CHC | Fast Track | Standard CHC | Fast Track | |
2022/23 | Q4 | 16,578 | 28,797 | 16% | 96% |
Q3 | 15,383 | 27,727 | 18% | 95% | |
Q2 | 15,062 | 26,683 | 17% | 95% | |
Q1 | 15,498 | 25,936 | 18% | 96% | |
2021/22 | Q4 | 14,653 | 25,910 | 17% | 95% |
Q3 | 14,636 | 25,793 | 17% | 95% | |
Q2 | 15,178 | 25,746 | 20% | 96% | |
Q1 | 16,001 | 24,664 | 19% | 96% | |
Note: the number of new referrals does not include referrals for assessments of previously unassessed periods of care.
Asked by: Lord Crisp (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports by the BBC on 10 October that doctors are being recruited illegally from Africa by private sector companies to work in the UK; and that such doctors are expected to work in private hospitals under conditions not allowed in the NHS.
Answered by Lord Markham - Shadow Minister (Science, Innovation and Technology)
No specific assessment has been made. All United Kingdom-based organisations recruiting and employing international doctors should follow the Code of Practice on Ethical International Recruitment. The Code includes a ‘red-list’ of countries from which health and care workers should not be actively recruited.
National Health Service organisations only use recruiters on the Ethical Recruiters List and breaching the Code may result in removal from the Ethical Recruiters List. All employers must abide by the legislation regarding workers’ rights in the UK.