Oral Answers to Questions

Henry Smith Excerpts
Tuesday 26th March 2019

(5 years ago)

Commons Chamber
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Stephen Hammond Portrait Stephen Hammond
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The hon. Gentleman is right: early diagnosis of cancer is vital for successful outcomes. The Government are absolutely committed to a cancer workforce with the skills and expertise to ensure that 75% of all cancers are diagnosed early, not just the top 10. As I have said several times, that is why we asked Baroness Dido Harding to develop a detailed workforce plan to ensure that that can be delivered.

Henry Smith Portrait Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con)
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Blood cancer is the fifth most common and the third biggest killer in the UK. What assurances can I get that the workforce in that area will be increased?

Stephen Hammond Portrait Stephen Hammond
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My hon. Friend has been a champion of this cause for a long time, raising the matter on the Floor of the House several times. He can be assured that, as I said to the hon. Member for City of Chester (Christian Matheson), Baroness Harding has been asked to bring forward detailed plans for the cancer workforce in her implementation plan.