Local Members of Parliament, Stephen McPartland and Rt Hon Sir Oliver Heald, met with the Secretary of State for Health, to push for a satellite radiotherapy unit to be based in Stevenage. Earlier in the day it had been raised in Parliament during Health questions.
Stephen McPartland, Member of Parliament for Stevenage said in the Chamber of the House of Commons: “There are more than 1.5 million people in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, and they have no access to a radiotherapy facility in either county. Will the Minister agree to bring cancer care closer to people’s homes and join the campaign to establish a satellite radiotherapy unit in Stevenage?"
The Minister replied: “My hon. Friend is a strong local champion for his constituents in Stevenage, particularly on that issue, in which he is joined by my right hon. and learned Friend Sir Oliver Heald, who is sitting next to him. He is right to highlight the importance of easy access to such facilities. I am happy to meet him and my right hon. and learned Friend to discuss that.”
Both Members of Parliament then met with the Secretary of State for Health later and Rt Hon Sir Oliver Heald said: “After meeting Nick Carver of the Trust last week and hearing the response to us from Ministers, I believe Stephen and I are making progress in our campaign with residents for delivery of radiotherapy locally.”