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<p>Cancer is a priority for the Government and the Department continues to take steps
to demonstrate this. The Department is taking steps to better understand the landscape
of childhood cancer with experts, aided by Dame Caroline Dinenage MP.</p><p>Increasing
the diagnosis rates of cancers in children and young people is a priority for the
Government. Several organisations, including the Department, are taking steps across
England to improve cancer diagnosis services in primary health care settings, supporting
general practices (GPs) in referring patients, expanding diagnostic capacity, and
enabling more precise diagnosis through technology.</p><p>NHS England is working to
deliver the ambition it set in its Long-Term Plan to diagnose 75% of cancers at stages
one and two by 2028. The Department is working to support GPs in improving referrals
for suspected cancer. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s guidance
underpinning cancer referrals sets out detailed guidance for GPs on the symptoms of
cancer in children and young people, recommending very urgent referral, an appointment
within 48 hours, for those presenting with a range of potential cancer symptoms including
any unexplained lump, bruising or bleeding, neurological symptoms or bone pain. For
many of these symptoms, GPs now have direct access to request diagnostic tests including
X-ray and ultrasound.</p><p>Childhood, young people’s and young adults’ cancers are
included within the Department’s work on developing a Major Conditions Strategy. Addressing
cancer together with other groups of conditions in a joined-up strategy will allow
us to focus on where there are similarities in approach and ensure care is better
centered around the patient.</p><p>While the Department cannot pre-empt its outcomes
or undertake a specific assessment at this stage, the Major Conditions Strategy’s
final report will draw on previous work, including submissions from childhood, young
people and young adults’ cancer charities and stakeholders in response to our calls
for evidence on cancer and on major conditions. The emphasis is on earlier diagnosis,
better support to manage conditions, and improved coordination of treatment and care.
We are engaging with stakeholders representing babies, children and young people to
ensure their views are considered in the development of the strategy.</p><p>The Department
does not plan to insert any further additions into the strategy development for age
appropriate and personalised care. The NHS Long Term Plan states that, where appropriate,
every person diagnosed with cancer will have access to personalised care, including
needs assessment, a care plan and health and wellbeing information and support. This
is being delivered in line with the NHS Comprehensive Model for Personalised Care,
empowering people to manage their care and the impact of their cancer and maximise
the potential of digital and community-based support.</p><p>In addition, the Under
16 Cancer Patient Experience Survey, commissioned by NHS England, is now in its third
year and aims to gather feedback from children and young people and their parents/carers
on the cancer care and treatment received.</p><p>These surveys provide valuable findings,
helping the National Health Service to understand what is good about children, young
people’s and adults’ cancer care, and identifying areas for improvements. 75% of children
aged between eight and 15 years old reported that they were looked after very well
for their cancer or tumour by healthcare staff and 89% of parents/carers rated the
overall experience of their child's care as eight or more out of 10. The answers are
being used to improve children’s cancer care across England. NHS England is working
to review and improve play facilities, including working with the Starlight Foundation
Charity on improvements to guidance, and surveying all provision to identify areas
for improvement. Work is also underway in improving food quality, including nine larger
Children’s Hospital’s NHS Trusts currently piloting better food provision for resident
parents.</p><p>The Government welcomed Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group’s Children
and Young People’s Cancer Plan. The Department has not made a formal assessment of
the recommendations, given the significant amount of work ongoing across NHS England
and the Department. Our priorities include improving early diagnosis, delivering more
research, and driving progress in genomic medicine.</p>
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