Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies is supporting efforts to improve care and treatment for brain tumours across Wales after attending a recent event in Parliament.
March was Brain Tumour Awareness Month. To mark the occasion, James attended the Brain Tumour Charity’s drop-in session to find out more about the results of the charity’s latest survey, Brain Tumour Care survey (IBTC), and their goals going forward.
The survey shows that one in seven respondents in Wales were not given access to a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), who can be absolutely vital for support and coordination of care. Just 30% of respondents said they were offered a Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA), which is key for identifying patient’s unique needs and ensuring they are met.
James said:
“The results from this new survey from The Brain Tumour Charity show worrying gaps in care and treatment for brain tumours across Wales.
“Brain tumours remain the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40 and with over 500 people diagnosed in Wales every year, it is clear that more needs to be done.
“Brain tumour patients in Wales are being left behind when it comes to their treatment and care needs. This must change and I am supporting the charity’s aim to double survival and halve the harm that brain tumours have on quality of life in the UK.
“As the charity states, for progress to be made, participation in research is absolutely vital. It can also be hugely beneficial in allowing patients to access care and treatments that are not available elsewhere. However, their survey shows that just 20% of respondents participated in research and, perhaps even more shocking is the fact that only 1 in 5 respondents were even informed about research opportunities.
“To end the gaps in care and treatment, The Brain Tumour Charity are calling on the Welsh Government to take action, and I support these calls.”
The Charity is calling on the Welsh Government to:
- Clarify how the money announced in the 2022 Draft Budget for NHS Wales will be invested in the cancer workforce, including for nurse specialists.
- Ensure every brain tumour patient (high and low grade has access to a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) and is offered a Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA) and resulting personalised care plan.
- Ensure every brain tumour patient is informed about research participation and given the opportunity to take part wherever possible.
