It comes after this paper revealed two weeks ago how a not-for-profit deal could see 30,000 of the most critically ill NHS patients receive fast-track treatment for therapies. Daily Express columnist and oncologist Karol Sikora, founder of private provider Rutherford Health, offered his range of cancer centers to help cut waiting lists.
In the letter to No. 10, Tim Farron, chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Radiotherapy, said: “A range of cancer experts warn that the backlog could be as high as 87,000-100,000 patients.
Many cancers become incurable if left untreated, with every four-week delay leading to a 10 percent reduction in survival.
“We urge you to work with your ministers to ensure the delivery of a radical new cancer plan that delivers world-class care to all cancer patients in the UK, wherever they live.”
It was signed by MPs from all parties, including the Tories’ Sir John Hayes, Henry Smith and Greg Smith, Labour’s Sir Alan Campbell and Dame Rosie Winterton, and Deputy Leader of the Lib Dem Daisy Cooper.
Ms Cooper said: “Government must move heaven and earth to tackle the cancer backlog. With 100,000 missed diagnoses due to the pandemic, we are in a race against time.”
Prof Sikora’s non-profit bid – which would be the largest public-private partnership in NHS history – was made on 21 December.
But almost four months after it was presented to health chiefs, it has not yet been signed.
Prof Sikora said: “The urgency of the cancer crisis is visible to all.
MPs across the House of Commons are calling for less talk and more action – I fully agree.
Our offering would give thousands of patients near-instant access to our world-class facilities.”