LOCAL MP SIGNS UP TO MAKE CANCER MONEY COUNT FOR PATIENTS

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 3rd Jun 2004

Sue Doughty, MP for Guildford, has given her backing to Macmillan Cancer Relief's "Get It Spent Where It's Meant" campaign by signing an all-party Early Day Motion calling on the Government to ensure funding reaches front line NHS services for cancer treatment.

The motion calls on Government to respond to four key recommendations, based on a survey of the NHS carried out with the help of MPs, including Sue Doughty, and launched at a parliamentary reception last November. The survey findings showed a lack of transparency; widespread inconsistencies in how the money is allocated and tracked; poor investment in cancer services that improve the patient's experience; and inadequate provision for meaningful patient involvement.

Sue said:

"It is vital that everything possible is done to get cancer money through to our local front line services, so that we can provide the best quality of life for those receiving treatment for cancer. The new Healthcare Commission must help the NHS and Government to improve its resource tracking so that people in Guildford can be sure that money that has been promised by the Government for our cancer services is getting spent where it's meant to be."