A strategy to deliver world class cancer care for children and young people has been published by the Scottish Government.
Collaborative and Compassionate Cancer Care, the Cancer Strategy for Children and Young People in Scotland 2021-2026, was launched by Health Secretary Humza Yousaf during an online event yesterday.
The strategy highlights 10 priorities for the next five years, supported by almost £6 million investment, which include:
- working towards funding genetic testing to provide personally targeted treatment
- expanding Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell therapy (CAR-T) to teenagers and young adults
- setting up a national molecular radiotherapy service for children
- funding a dedicated health workforce to care for teenagers and young adults
- raising the profile of supported care services and holistic care
- developing a single centre of excellence to provide radiotherapy treatment to improve survival among children with cancer
Mr Yousaf said: “Receiving a cancer diagnosis is never easy, but receiving one at such a young age is especially difficult.
“We know that diagnosis has come a long way, with survival rates remaining stable for children and young people. However there is still more we can do to support this age group to live long, healthy and happy lives.
“This strategy, backed by almost £6 million, marks an exciting time for children and young people’s cancer services as the first strategy for this age group. It outlines our 10 ambitions to build on previous successes so that, by 2026, we will see improved and enhanced outcomes for patients and ensure equal access to care across Scotland.”
Medical Director of NHS Forth Valley Andrew Murray said: “I am delighted to see the launch of Collaborative and Compassionate Cancer Care, after such a challenging period in the NHS Scotland’s history, and I look forward to working with our clinicians and families to deliver its ambitious objectives over the next five years, improving experiences and outcomes.”
The strategy can be read in full here.
The launch was somewhat overshadowed by news that the Scottish Government is calling in the army to help tackle a crisis in the ambulance service – and a Twitter post of a film of Health Minister Humza Yousaf’s unfortunate accident on a scooter.