Phew! Yesterday saw an intense and exciting event with Macmillan’s Cancer Voices in Parliament. We were joined by incredible campaigners who told MPs that the dignity, respect and compassionate care of cancer patients have to be a top priority for all political parties going in to the General Election in 2015.
Cancer Voice campaigners gather at Parliament
MPs from across the parties and across the UK came and listened to experts on the matter – passionate people with recent experience of being cancer patients themselves. They were told that all cancer patients should have a positive experience of care and be treated with the highest levels of dignity and respect throughout their journey by staff who are supported and empowered to deliver the best care possible.
These patient experience champions were joined by Macmillan staff from regions across the country who work and campaign tirelessly in local health communities to ensure cancer patients have the services they urgently need, whether that’s Macmillan nurses or Information and Support centres or NHS provided radiotherapy services.
Busy lobbying for improved cancer patient experience.
These Macmillan experts joined the Cancer Voices to highlight how important the experiences that staff have are to making sure cancer patients are always treated compassionately. They told influential MPs such as Paul Uppal (Conservative) and Andrew Gwynne (Labour) and Julian Huppert (Lib Dem) that there is a strong link between how well staff are treated and how well they treat patients.
A tweet from Andy Slaughter MP at the event
We also urged the MPs to throw their weight behind Macmillan’s campaign to ensure dignity and respect of cancer patients, and their voice and experience, is at the heart of the General Election 2015.
Lorely Burt MP and her constituent, Cancer Voice campaigner Catherine.
We know MPs are understandably hugely concerned with the next General Election in 2015. So is Macmillan. Whichever party wins next year we want to make sure they prioritise tackling the UK’s
looming cancer crisis. To do that we want to see promises to do just that in all the parties’ manifestos before the campaigning begins in earnest. To find out more and join the campaign click on the banner below.
Click to join our General Election campaign.
Does Lobbying in Parliament seem exciting? If you would be interested in sharing your cancer experiences with decision makers and lobbying for change with us in the future then check out the Cancer Voice pages and keep an eye on the opportunities exchange or get in touch with Chris or me.
