Ministers attempt to play down Brexit cancer delay warnings
There are fears Brexit could cause delays for some cancer treatments. Photo: PA - Credit: PA Wire/PA Images
The government has attempted to calm fears that cancer patients will suffer after Brexit.
The Royal College of Radiologists previously warned doctors to prepare for potential delays in cancer detecting drugs in the case of a no-deal Brexit.
However, health minister Baroness Blackwood insisted ministers did not expect any 'patient harm' to arise over the import of radioisotopes - which are commonly used in the diagnosis and treatment of some cancers.
Answering an urgent question in the Lords, Lady Blackwood said any changes to 'clinical pathways and practice' were expected to be 'minor and short-lived'.
She said the government was not expecting any delays or increased waiting times for cancer patients.
You may also want to watch:
Labour former minister Baroness Symons of said the Royal College and other medical authorities had warned that Brexit, and particularly a no-deal Brexit, would mean delays in the supply of imported radioisotopes, which are 'so vital in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients'.
She said these bodies were not 'convinced anti-Brexiteers trying to sensationalise the position' but experienced and skilled in saving the lives of cancer patients.
Most Read
- 1 These are the 322 Tory MPs who voted against extending free school meals to children
- 2 Question Time: Ex-Tory minister accused of making 'sickening' comment about free schools meals row
- 3 Betty Boothroyd delivers scathing assessment of Boris Johnson's government
- 4 Downing Street withholds praise for business and local authorities offering free meals to hungry children
- 5 Priti Patel bullying inquiry may never be released, hints Boris Johnson's new civil service boss
- 6 House of Lords defies No 10 and votes to heavily defeat Boris Johnson's Brexit bill
- 7 Boris Johnson 'plans to resign' in six months because he can't live on £150k salary
- 8 Priti Patel set to hand private firms £28 million in government contracts to deport asylum seekers from UK
- 9 German MEP tells Boris Johnson he 'owes' Britons a Brexit deal as she urged a return to EU trade talks
- 10 At the upcoming US election, Donald Trump really is toast
Lady Symons urged the government to take no-deal off the table rather than put 'vulnerable patients at risk'.
Lady Blackwood said the government had been working closely with the Royal College and the pharmaceutical industry to ensure the NHS had robust contingency plans in place so patients continued to have access to medicines, including radioisotopes, whatever the Brexit outcome.
She said the college had published 'sensible and pragmatic' guidance to specialist clinicians, which the government supported, to ensure all necessary operational planning had taken place before March 29.
The minister said many isotopes were already brought in by airfreight and there would be no change in their delivery arrangements.
'It's absolutely right for the Royal College of Radiologists to put in place some guidelines and we have been working closely with them to offer practical advice in allowing adjustment in clinical processes.
'We don't expect any patient harm to arise from this and the changes in clinical pathways and practice are expected to be minor and short-lived,' Lady Blackwood said.
Become a Supporter
The New European is proud of its journalism and we hope you are proud of it too. We believe our voice is important - both in representing the pro-EU perspective and also to help rebalance the right wing extremes of much of the UK national press. If you value what we are doing, you can help us by making a contribution to the cost of our journalism.
