Bath MP Ben Howlett recently led a debate in Westminster Hall calling on the Government to put child cancer at the forefront of NHS and government funding schemes.
The debate was sparked by the parents of Poppy-Mai Barnard who sadly passed away after a battle with a very rare cancer.
The special three-hour debate in the Westminster Hall chamber was sparked by a 116,000-signature petition raised by the couple after their daughter died in March from a rare malignant tumour aged just 17 months.
Mr Howlett told public health minister Nicola Blackwood that although childhood cancer was rare, every year 3,800 children are diagnosed with the disease.
He said: “Sadly 260 under-15s die each year and many who survive suffer long-term health problems. I thank the Barnards for raising this incredibly important issue which has such devastating consequences for so many families.”
“I urge the Government to consider the ways in which we can increase engagement with charities to encourage awareness campaigns, develop greater incentives to increase research and improve early diagnosis for child cancer patients.”
Miss Blackwood said: “We want to lead the world in fighting cancer. Survival rates have never been higher, but we want to go further. Cancer services for children, teenagers and young adults have improved significantly but the NHS needs to consider the best structure for continued improved care.”
