IPEM at Radiotherapy4Life event at House of Commons

ORGANISERS of the Radiotherapy4Life campaign held an event at the House of Commons to mark World Cancer Day and raise awareness about the need for improved radiotherapy provision across the UK.

The campaign, in association with Action Radiotherapy and the All Party Parliamentary Group for Radiotherapy (APPGRT), and which IPEM supports, hosted the event for MPs and Peers to raise awareness about the need for improved radiotherapy provision.

The APPGRT’s recent report 'Radiotherapy – Securing the Future of Britain’s Secret Lifesaver' was discussed at the event. It was produced following a three-month inquiry by the APPGRT and which IPEM provided both written and oral evidence to.

The report states that 3.5 million people in England live further than the 45 minute recommended travel time to their nearest radiotherapy centre and calls for investment in infrastructure, workforce and IT.

Nicky Whilde, Head of Radiotherapy Physics at Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust and a member of IPEM’s Radiotherapy Professional Standards Panel, represented the Institute at the event.

She said: ‘The R4L event was a great success. There were over 70 MPs and Peers in attendance, with the majority of those signing a letter that was delivered to the Prime Minister in Downing Street asking for extra funding for radiotherapy.

‘Although there was a focus on patients’ travel times to their nearest radiotherapy centre, there were many other themes discussed, including  workforce, IT connectivity and investment in equipment.

‘I was delighted to be there representing IPEM, and to have the opportunity to raise awareness of both radiotherapy and the radiotherapy physics community.’