Today on World Cancer Day, the UK Government has published its National Cancer Plan for England, which includes specific commitments to support children and young people with cancer.
This is the first time ever that the National Cancer Plan for England has a dedicated section on children and young people’s cancers, including the inclusion of a specific £10m travel fund to help families with the costs of accessing treatment*.
We know that families impacted by childhood cancer face the burden of additional monthly costs, including expenses related to travelling to and from cancer care. These costs are on top of an already stressful, anxious and worrying time for families.
As a charity, Latch helps families directly with travel costs and we have done so for many years. In the past two years, for example, we have provided over £220,000 directly to families in Wales to help with travel costs to access cancer care.
Today’s announcement by the UK Government is a vital development for children and young people and their families in England; highlighting the unique challenges and needs in treatment, care and research of children and young people with cancer. These are critical developments that we want to see here in Wales too.
That’s why Latch continues to work closely and in collaboration with other charities, as part of the Wales Cancer Alliance, calling for similar policy changes here in Wales, including the introduction of a dedicated Travel Fund for families.
*The National Cancer Plan applies to England only, it is yet to be confirmed whether the new travel Fund will have any implications for Wales and the other devolved nations.