Thank you for contacting me about Government investment into cancer research.
The UK is a world leader in cancer research, and I recognise the importance of Government investment in ensuring that we can continue to improve survival rates and quality of life of cancer patients.
Current Government-funded projects include a £47.5 million partnership between Cancer Research UK, the National Institute for Health Research and the Little Princess Trust to deliver early phases of clinical research, which will generate new treatments for future generations. A further £22.5 million is being invested in cancer research to develop new immune-based cancer therapies. The Department of Health and Social Care is also partnering with BioNTech SE, with the aim of delivering 10,000 doses of personalised therapies to UK patients by 2030.
On the Island, in addition to the investment in the new Community Diagnostic Centre at St Marys, the Hospital is one of 20 that is benefiting from new Government funding to upgrade outdated facilities and equipment. This includes improvements worth £6.4m to the intensive care unit, a £12.2m new emergency care floor and £5.1m for acute bed reconfiguration as well as a £6.7m integrated mental health and community hub in Newport High Street. In addition, the Isle of Wight NHS has also been awarded a further £9m (in addition to the £12.5m already secured) to modernise digital technology, IT infrastructure and clinical systems.
The Government's Major Conditions Strategy will provide a fresh opportunity to focus on how we can develop new treatments and diagnose cancer earlier to improve survival rates and the quality of life for everyone living with the disease. A call for evidence has recently concluded and I understand that the strategy will be published in due course.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.