Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the effect of covid-19 on people living with blood cancer being able to make an informed choice on their long-term care and treatment.
Support and information for all cancer patients, including blood cancer patients, is provided through four personalised care interventions:
- Personalised care and support planning based on holistic needs assessments;
- Health and wellbeing information and support, including nutritional advice and psychological support;
- End of treatment summaries, that provide symptom management information; and
- A Cancer Care Review with their general practitioner.
As outlined in the NHS Long Term Plan, these interventions will be implemented in full by 2021.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, all personalised care and support has continued by telephone, video, online or by post if face to face appointments and group sessions have not been possible.