Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has been made of the adequacy of the availability of clinical trials for cancer patients in Buckingham and Bletchley constituency.

No specific assessment has been made. The Department is committed to ensuring that all patients, including those with cancer, have access to cutting-edge clinical trials and innovative, lifesaving treatments, wherever they live.

The forthcoming National Cancer Plan will include further details on how we will improve outcomes for cancer patients across the country. It will ensure that more patients have access to the latest treatments and technology, and to clinical trials.

The Department funds the National Institute of Health and Care Research’s (NIHR) infrastructure to support the delivery and availability of clinical trials across all aspects of human health, including cancer. The South Central Regional Research Delivery Network operates in all National Health Service trusts that span the Buckingham and Bletchley area, giving researchers and delivery teams the practical support they need locally so that clinical trials can take place and more people can take part.

The NIHR provides an online service called 'Be Part of Research' which promotes participation in health and care research, by allowing users to search for relevant studies and register their interest.