On 11th May 2021, the Queen opened a new session of Parliament by outlining the Government’s priorities for the coming year. The Queen’s Speech included around 30 laws that ministers plan to pass, including the Health and Care Bill and the Charities Bill, as well as legislation on education, constitutional reform, and security. So, what does this all mean for Macmillan and people living with cancer?

Well, broadly, Macmillan welcomes the announcements made. The focus on investing in the NHS to recover services disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic is really positive, as is the commitment to build back better. However, significant long-term investment in the cancer workforce will be needed to achieve these aims and Macmillan will be pressing the Government for this over the course of the year.

Macmillan also works to ensure the benefits system works for people living with cancer, so we also be keeping a close eye on the development of the Green Paper on Disability Benefits which was briefly mentioned.

Addressing the backlog

The pandemic has caused significant disruption to the cancer system, despite the efforts of incredibly hard-working NHS staff. Macmillan’s latest figures show that the current backlog in people receiving their first treatment for cancer stands at 39,000. With fewer people currently being diagnosed, we are seriously concerned that this will result in a later stage diagnosis, which sadly may have a very real impact on people’s prognosis and outlook. Macmillan welcomes the Government’s recognition in the speech of these challenges facing the NHS, and their focus on addressing the backlog and finding those ‘missing’ diagnoses.

Building back better

It is essential that we not only recover services and bring more people into the system, but that we also ensure this system is equipped to offer the highest quality services to people living with cancer.

The upcoming Health and Care Bill will make Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) statutory care bodies, which means they can take more strategic responsibility. This move towards empowering local health and care services to improve their local populations’ health is a positive step, which may mean these services are better connected for people with cancer. However, Macmillan is waiting to see what the role of people with lived experience and of voluntary sector organisations will be. It is key that these groups also have a strong voice in the development of the Bill, to ensure it truly meets the needs of people living with cancer.

Workforce- the key to improving cancer care?

Addressing the backlog and building back better are certainly priorities for both Macmillan and the Government, but, neither aim will be possible without significant, long-term investment in the specialist cancer workforce. It is welcome that the Health and Care Bill includes a new duty on workforce planning. But without a long-term funding settlement, this simply won’t be enough, given the scale of the challenge that the workforce is facing.

Before the pandemic, there were 2,500 fewer specialist cancer nurses than required to deliver basic cancer care, but this shortage has been exacerbated by the pandemic, due to significant levels of burnout. This comes at a time when a fully resourced and energised workforce is more needed than ever, as Macmillan estimates that it will take 15 months of working at 110% of pre-pandemic levels to clear the backlog. To achieve this, it is critical that the Autumn Spending Review sets of a comprehensive multi-year spending review for the NHS Workforce.

Last but never least: the financial impact of cancer

Did you know that the average person is a huge £570 worse-off a month after a cancer diagnosis? This is due to a double strain on finances: whilst 75% of people who receive a cancer diagnosis experience a loss of income, 90% experience additional costs related to their condition, such as the costs of travelling to appointments, purchasing wigs, or covering higher heating bills if you are at home and feeling the cold more.

This is why the Government must consider the financial needs of people living with cancer and whether they can get the support they desperately need from the social security system. Currently, claiming benefits can be stressful and confusing, and the process often does not meet the specific needs of people living with cancer, at a time in their life when they already have more than enough to cope with. The Green Paper on Disability Benefits, mentioned in the Government’s Queen Speech background documents, is a clear opportunity for the Government to address these issues to ensure the benefits system works for everyone.

The final word

The Queen’s speech provides many welcome indications of the Government’s focus on addressing the cancer backlog and improving services for people living with cancer. However, there are some areas where more clarification is required, especially around long-term investment in the workforce and the future of the benefits system. Macmillan looks forward to working with the Government on these aspects, to deliver the best possible care and support for all people living with cancer.

Tatiana Sherwood is a Graduate in the Advocacy and Chief Executive Teams at Macmillan Cancer Support. You can find out more about Macmillan’s work in parliament here.

A group of leading healthcare charities are warning today that millions of vulnerable and extremely vulnerable people are getting mixed and confused messages about the easing of shielding measures potentially putting their health and safety at serious risk.

Charities including Macmillan Cancer Support; British Lung Foundation and Asthma UK; MS Society; National Voices; Versus Arthritis; Kidney Care UK and Cystic Fibrosis Trust have published an open letter calling for UK Governments to publish clear, consistent advice on ‘shielding’ measures for ‘extremely vulnerable’ people to ensure they protect themselves and can access support as lockdown eases.

They are also calling for clear guidance for the wider group of vulnerable people who have not been asked to ‘shield’ but will be at greater risk as lockdown is lifted and they make decisions on whether they and members of their household leave home, go to work or school.

Please see the joint letter here:

You can find out more about the work Macmillan Cancer Support do in Parliament here.

Against virtually everybody’s expectations, the General Election on 8 June resulted in a hung parliament. A large Conservative majority didn’t materialise and once again the balance of power in the House of Commons becomes central to decision making.

The political consequences of this are still being worked out. Talk of another election is rife. The Conservatives are talking to the DUP about support for confidence and budgetary measures. The Labour Party are elated about a much better than anticipated result, but there remain concerns about a third defeat in a row.

But this is all politics. Policy-making is still required and key decisions still need to be made. Jeremy Hunt has been confirmed as Secretary of State for Health and will reach his fifth anniversary in this post in the autumn, the longest serving Health Secretary since the 1980s. Meanwhile, junior ministers David Mowat and Nicola Blackwood both lost their seats, so their successors will need to get up to speed quickly to master their considerable briefs. David Gauke reaches the Cabinet after many years of loyal service in the Treasury as he becomes Work and Pensions Secretary.

Ahead of the General Election, we asked Macmillan campaigners and supporters to email their candidates and let them know that cancer matters. We are delighted that over 1700 people sent almost 6500 emails to election candidates, across all parties in the UK.

Now the election is over, Macmillan will be working hard to support all MPs, particularly those newly elected, providing information and resources about cancer in their local area, giving advice on how to support constituents who are going through cancer and talking about health and welfare policy.

We are delighted that 66 of the new MPs, from all political parties, have pledged to support Macmillan and people with cancer during their time in the Commons. Our manifesto had three main recommendations for the Government, which were underpinned by research, the expertise of our health and social care professionals, and countless conversations with people with cancer and their carers.

In addition, we look forward to the Government confirming Jeremy Hunt’s commitment to fund the vital recovery package for people who are recovering from cancer. It involves a holistic needs assessment, a treatment summary, a cancer care review and attendance at health and wellbeing events. These elements form part of an overall support and self-management package and are essential for people living with cancer to live well after treatment.

So whilst the politics will always be interesting, there are important decisions to be taken and policy to be enacted. Macmillan’s priority will always be ensuring all people with cancer get the very best care and treatment. We look forward to working with ministers to ensure this becomes a reality.

Chris Walden is Head of Public Affairs at Macmillan Cancer Support.

The countdown to the 2017 General Election is well underway. With just over 5 weeks to go, and with all the talk of majorities, marginals and manifestos, it can be easy to forget that life goes on. And for some, that life includes dealing with cancer, its treatment and effects.

Indeed, in the time from today until the General Election, Macmillan estimates that over 36,000 people across the UK will receive the news that they have cancer.¹ They will become part of the 2.5 million people currently living in the UK who have had a cancer diagnosis. By 2030, that figure will be around 4 million.

Who knows what will happen in politics between now and then. With the unexpected events across the world over the last few years, surely no one would be brave enough to make a prediction.

But one thing that is certain is that the cancer population is growing and changing and we need action now if we are to make sure that every single person with cancer gets the support they need.

The challenge facing our health and welfare systems in achieving this is clear. There have been positive steps, and there are significant opportunities to make progress over the course of the next Parliament. The England Cancer Strategy, running to 2020, could vastly improve survival rates and save thousands of lives, whilst the ‘Choice Review’ set out a clear roadmap for improving the care people receive at the end of life.

But these things will only be achieved with strong political commitment from all parties, with a clear will to drive up standards of care and outcomes at the heart of the next Government’s health policy.

Today, we publish our Macmillan manifesto — ‘Cancer Matters’. It sets out 3 things we need all parties to commit to, in order to deliver world-class cancer care and support.

1. Ensure that there are enough health and care staff with the right skills so that people with cancer receive world-class treatment and support.

With growing consensus that maintaining a skilled workforce is one of the biggest challenges facing the health and care sectors, doing nothing is not an option. We need to think differently about how we plan and organise the NHS workforce in future. The next Government must urgently set out a clear and ambitious plan for how the NHS will develop a workforce that is able to meet the changing needs of a growing cancer population.

2. No cuts to welfare benefits for people with cancer or their carers.

When you’re diagnosed with cancer, many people don’t know what to expect. In particular, people tell us they’re often shocked by the financial impact that can accompany a cancer diagnosis. Costs rise, whilst many have to give up work or reduce their hours. When this happens, support from the welfare system can be a vital lifeline.

Going into this election, we want to see all parties committing — as a minimum — to not making any cuts to key welfare benefits for people with cancer and their carers over the course of the next Parliament.

3. Ensure that everyone approaching the end of their lives receive the best possible care and support and can die in the place of their choice.

Dying can be hard to talk about; but the reality is that most people will need access to end of life services at some point — either when dying themselves or through supporting someone they love. At Macmillan, we believe everyone at the end of life deserves to get the care they need, to be comfortable, and to have their pain controlled — so that we can all die in the place and manner of our choosing.

In July 2016, the Government responded to the ‘Choice Review’ — an independently-led review of choice at the end of life. If delivered, Macmillan believes the commitments in the Choice Review have the potential to transform end of life care. It’s therefore essential that all parties commit to implementing its recommendations.

When you’re diagnosed with cancer, it can turn your world upside down. Knowing that all the political parties are prioritising cancer can’t immediately fix it — but it can give us hope and reassurance that support will be there, and that NHS cancer care, welfare and social care will improve for everyone. For every single person that will be diagnosed with cancer before the election, for the thousands more currently living with it and for the future millions, we need to see commitments to act. That’s 36,000 reasons (and a whole lot more) to make cancer a priority for this General Election.

Chris Walden is Head of Public Affairs at Macmillan Cancer Support. To find out more about our General Election calls, click here.

References

1. Office for National Statistics. Cancer registration statistics, England: first release, 2015. February 2017. (accessed March 2017); ISD Scotland. Cancer statistics — Annual incidence. (accessed April 2017); Welsh Cancer Intelligence and Surveillance Unit. Cancer incidence in Wales. (accessed March 2017); Northern Ireland Cancer Registry. All cancers — Incidence, prevalence and survival statistics: 1993–2015. (accessed March 2017).