Dear Constituent,
Thank you for contacting me about cancer treatment during the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
When people start treatment for cancer, their medical team works with them to balance the risks and benefits of treatment before agreeing a plan. As a result of the pandemic, it may be that doctors consider the risks of certain treatments, particularly those that weaken the immune system, to be much greater than normal. They will take into consideration how urgent treatment is: in some cases, delaying treatment may not make a big difference to the outcome. Patients with cancer visit hospitals regularly, but for those who are particularly vulnerable, this is more risky than usual as it may result in exposure to the virus.
At the end of April, my colleague the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care announced the restoration of NHS services, starting with the most urgent, like cancer care and mental health support. The NHS is open for business, and anyone who needs care and treatment should continue to access it as and when they need it, especially when delays could impose both an immediate and a long-term risk to health. To this end, the 21 cancer alliances in England have established hubs to ensure dedicated cancer care away from hospitals dealing with the virus. Any changes to treatment protocols in response to the Covid outbreak should be in line with guidance from clinical experts and carried out in full consultation with patients so that they understand the reasons for the decision.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
Yours sincerely,
Mel Stride MP
MP for Central Devon
