Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government in light of the proposal contained in the National Cancer Plan for England for the appointment of a national lead for rare cancers, what is the name of (1) the employing body and paymaster, and (2) the governance body responsible for the appointment; what is the expected management line of the post-holder by job title; whether the role is to be full-time or part-time: and what are the expected contracted or Full-Time Equivalent weekly hours.

The National Cancer Plan, published on 4 February 2026, sets out several commitments and ambitions, to be delivered within the next 10 years.

This includes appointing a national clinical lead for rare cancers, to sit on the National Cancer Board and advise on delivery of actions in the rare cancers chapter of the plan, and a National Institute for Health and Care Research National Specialty Lead for Rare Cancers to support delivery of research on rare cancers, as part of implementation of the Rare Cancers Act.

Responsibility for supporting the role of the national clinical lead for rare cancers, including governance and renumeration, will reside with the Department and NHS England.

Selecting the national clinical lead for rare cancers requires an appropriate appointment process. NHS England and Department officials are following public appointment procedures, including drafting a job specification, determining contract length, weekly hours, renewal and review details, probation terms, and line management.

Until the appointment is made, NHS England’s Clinical Advisory Group has leads for specific rare cancers.