MP Demands Government Back Childhood Cancer Mission
At today’s Prime Minister’s Questions, Gosport MP Dame Caroline Dinenage pressed Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab to reaffirm the government’s pledge to a Childhood Cancer Mission.
Caroline has been campaigning alongside her constituent, Charlotte Fairall, whose 10-year-old daughter Sophie tragically died from Rhabdomyosarcoma in September 2021. They want urgent action to tackle childhood cancer — the number one killer of children under 14 in the UK.
Caroline’s Powerful Plea in Parliament
Caroline told MPs:
“The biggest cause of death for children under 14 is cancer. I’ve been calling for a Childhood Cancer Mission to transform how we detect, treat and care for children with cancer.”
“This includes everything from genome science to 7-day-a-week play facilities on children’s wards.”
“The Health Secretary has been brilliant and supportive, but will the Deputy Prime Minister restate the Government’s backing for this vital mission?”
Deputy PM Pledges Support but Holds Back Details
Dominic Raab replied:
“The suffering of children with cancer is hard to imagine. I thank my hon. Friend for her work.
The Department of Health & Social Care will soon publish a major conditions strategy aimed at improving outcomes for all cancer patients, especially children. This will build on previous input from childhood cancer charities.”
Five-Point Plan to Revolutionise Childhood Cancer Care
Caroline and Charlotte’s Childhood Cancer Mission calls for:
- Timely diagnosis: Nationwide symptoms campaign, referral pathways, and standardised education for healthcare workers.
- Pioneering research: New treatments, funded screening studies, and a review of research priorities.
- Top-notch patient experience: Quality food and 7-day play specialists, plus patient experience surveys for under-16s.
- World-class treatment: Access to new, less toxic therapies, swift genomic testing, HPV vaccine for all kids, and age-appropriate care.
- Quality survivorship: Evidence-based mental health support for patients and families, long-term psychosocial care, and streamlined follow-up services.
Caroline sparked a major debate on Childhood Cancer Outcomes in April 2022 at the Commons – a session so popular it was oversubscribed. Last February, she and Charlotte met Health Secretary Steve Barclay, who showed strong commitment to improving child cancer services.
The fight to save children like Sophie is far from over — and the clock is ticking.
