New NHS cancer diagnosis pledge launched in Brighton

In February, Health Minister Ann Keen MP joined Simon Burgess at the Sussex Cancer Unit in Brighton to launch Labour's health campaign, www.voteNHS.com and to support the "Target Cancer" campaign.

The campaign aims to save up to 10,000 lives by backing a pledge to create a new NHS guarantee of cancer diagnosis within one week of GP referral, allowing patients to be tested and told their results in just seven days.

Ann also challenged the Conservatives to reverse their policy of scrapping all NHS targets and patient guarantees, and to match Labour's one-week cancer diagnosis guarantee. The Minister said: "As I have seen today at the Sussex Cancer Centre, some things are too important to be left to chance, and cancer is one of them. As a former nurse myself, I know it's no exaggeration to say that with this disease, every day counts and cancer diagnosis should not be left to a local lottery. That's why I am proud to say that with Labour, every NHS patient will have guaranteed access to diagnostic tests for cancer and crucially, their results, within just one week of seeing their doctor. If we do this, we know up to 10,000 lives a year could be saved.

"We are challenging the Tories to drop their dogmatic opposition to our two-week cancer pledge, and admit that the quicker we can diagnose cancer, and ensure the same cancer guarantees for all NHS patients, the quicker we can treat it and the more lives we can save. And today I'm calling on everyone who agrees with us on this to sign up to the Target Cancer campaign at voteNHS.com."

Simon Burgess, Labour's parliamentary candidate for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven said: "Labour investment in Brighton's health services is clear to see today at the Sussex Cancer Centre. The Centre is vital to people in Brighton and across Sussex. In the next five years, there are plans to expand this vital service so that more patients can receive treatment nearer to their homes. This is why the "Target Cancer" campaign is so important. It shows Labour's commitment to the NHS in places like Brighton.

"I worked in the NHS when the Conservatives were last in power, Sussex residents deserve much better than going back to 18 month waiting lists and portacabin buildings. David Cameron talks about how committed he is to the NHS but what he doesn't want people to see are the consequence of his policies. Simply scrapping targets would mean longer waiting lists."